Elder Abuse
A Guide to Selected Government Information Available at WIU's Government Publications Library
(Revised - 9/05)
Web version of this guide includes links to web resources.
Federal Government Information
Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation: Are We Doing Enough?
An assessment of governmental efforts to curb elder abuse and an exploration of further solutions to the problem. The panel of witnesses includes representatives
from the Postal Inspection Service, the American Association of Retired Persons, and the Social Security Administration, among others. 2003
Y 4.J 89/2:S.HRG.108-445
Shattering the Silence: Confronting the Perils of Family Elder Abuse
This hearing includes data from the Adult Protective Services Administration and testimony from seniors who were abused by a family member. 2003
Y 4.AG 4:S.HRG.108-288
Elder Justice and Protection: Stopping the Financial Abuse
This hearing on financial exploitation of the elderly offers specific examples of abuse and examines what the Federal government can do to stop the victimization of this
vulnerable population. 2003
Y 4.L 11/4:S.HRG.108-382
Elder Justice and Protection: Stopping the Abuse
Held in Missouri on consecutive days, these two hearings before the Senate Subcommittee on Aging focus on elder abuse that occurs in nursing homes. 2003
Y 4.L 11/4:S.HRG.108-210
Y 4.L 11/4:S.HRG.108-226
Medline Plus website on Elder Abuse
This website of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health offers comprehensive and timely elder abuse information, including the National Center on Elder Abuse, which is funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging and is a gateway to resources on elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Elder Rights and Resources
An Administration on Aging website dedicated to providing elder abuse resources: statistics, definitions, studies, publications, and more.
Help for Victims of Elder Abuse
The website of the Office for Victims of Crime (U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs) has a page specifically for victims of elder abuse. It contains links to many agencies that will assist a senior following a victimization.
Financial Crimes Against the Elderly
The office of the Community Oriented Policing Service of the U.S. Department of Justice provides information on the national Triad program of the National Sheriffs Association, as well as links to guides and reports, training and technical assistance, and other elder abuse resources. Also included is a link to a new practitioner oriented guide entitled, Financial Crimes Against the Elderly.
FirstGov For Seniors
On the United States Government's official web portal is a senior resources page which includes consumer protection links.
lllinois Government Information
Reporting Elder Abuse: What Professionals Need to Know
In an easy-to-read, question and answer format, this booklet defines elder abuse and clarifies how suspected elder abuse should be reported and which professionals are mandated by law to report. 2003
Elder Abuse and Neglect Act and Related Laws
Similar to the above publication in style and format, this booklet provides the Illinois Compiled Statutes relevant to elder abuse. 2003
Elder Abuse Prevention and Legal Services
This Illinois Department of Aging website offers helpful links and information: The Elder Abuse and Neglect Program responds to reports of alleged abuse in Illinois. There are 45 provider agencies -- McDonough County is in Area 3. The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program protects the rights of individuals living in long term care facilities.
Alternatives for the Older Adult
This website lists contact information for the Rock Island and the Macomb offices. This facility is a Protective Service Program for abused or neglected seniors.
Fraud and Financial Exploitation of Seniors
As part of her website, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan offers this consumers alert page which explains why seniors are at greater risk for fraud and contains links to information on telemarketing fraud, home repair fraud, sweepstakes, financial exploitation, junkmail, and unwanted phone calls.
Legal Information
The Public Choice of Elder Abuse Law
This paper presents findings of a University of Iowa study to evaluate the impact of state adult protective service legislation and regulation on the rates of
investigated and substantiated domestic elder abuse.
Journal of Legal Studies. Vol. 33, No. 2 pp. 517-549 June 2004
"Big Brother" and Grandma: An Argument for Video Surveillance in Nursing Homes
The author of this article contends that use of "granny cams" in nursing homes should not be made compulsory; however, all nursing homes should be required to provide
the technology.
Elder Law Journal. Vol. 12, No. 1 pp. 119-147 2004
Governmental Responses to Elder Abuse and Neglect in Nursing Homes: The Criminal Justice System and the Civil False Claims Act
This article examines the legal tools available to the government to help end elder abuse, specifically advocating use of criminal statutes and the False Claims Act.
Elder Law Journal. Vol. 12, No. 2 pp.327-354 2004
Elder Abuse and Neglect
Chapter 12 of the IICLE handbook, Advising Elderly Clients and Their Families, offers Illinois law on elder abuse.
KFI 1291 .A3 A38 2000
Looking for cases?
Use the ALR Index to access annotations such as:
Criminal Liability Under Statutes Penalizing Abuse or Neglect of the Institutionalized Infirm
60 ALR4th 1153
Criminal Assault or Battery Statutes Making Attack on Elderly Person a Special or Aggravated Offense
73 ALR4th 1123
What Constitutes Unusually "Vulnerable" Victim Under Sentencing Guideline Section 3A1.1 Permitting Increase In Offense Level?
114 ALR Fed 355