Governor signs bills to prevent elder
abuse in Illinois
"
When I hear
about cases of people taking advantage of elderly people or physically
abuse of the elderly, I feel a mix of shock, disbelief and
outrage," Blagojevich told a group of more than 200 people at the
Effingham Senior Center on the final day of his three-day tour of
East-Central Illinois.
One piece of
legislation adds emergency medical technicians and paramedics to the
list of professionals able to report abuse. Another measure allows
professionals who willfully fail to report suspected abuse to be charged
with a
misdemeanor. Advisory boards for doctors, dentists and dental hygienist
can sanction those who fail to report elder abuse.
"Elder abuse
happens in every community and every economic and social category,"
said Charles Johnson, director of the state Department of Aging.
"The abuse is usually from family members and is often not
reported."
Blagojevich said the
average victim is 79 years old and often a female. The governor also
cited statistics that four out of five abusers are family members with
substance abuse problems.
The new laws would
keep abusers from getting an inheritance from their victims.
"They don't
belong behind the wheel of a new car," Blagojevich said. "They
shouldn't be basking in the shade in the Caribbean."
Margot Means of
Effingham County said she supports the new laws."I'm
glad they're taking steps to investigate more fully," Means said.
People who suspect a
senior is being abused can contact the Department of Aging's Senior
Helpline at 1-800-252-8966.
Governor signs bills to prevent elder
abuse in Illinois