Recognizing and Reporting Abuse
Spring 2014
By: Diane Drew, CHELP
Member of IACCPHP
Funds for this program were made available through an
Illinois Department on Aging Educational Grant
Adult Protective Service
Abuse is the willful infliction of injury, unreasonable
confinement, intimidation, or cruel punishment with
resulting physical harm, pain or mental anguish; Or
the deprivation by a person, including a caregiver, of
goods or services that are necessary to avoid physical
harm, mental anguish, or mental illness.
Exploitation is the use of an individuals resources by
another person, to the disadvantage of that individual
or for the advantage of another person, other than
that of the individual.
ELDER ABUSE LAW
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The Illinois Elder Abuse and Neglect Act
became law in 1988 and called for the state to
address the problem of domestic elder abuse.
As a result, the Elder Abuse and Neglect
Program was implemented under the direction
of the Illinois Department on Aging (IDOA).
This statewide program was established to
respond to reports of alleged elder abuse,
neglect and exploitation and to work with the
older victims in resolving abusive situations. On
July 1, 2013 Elder Abuse became Adult
Protective Services.
Who should report Abuse ?
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Everyone is encouraged to report abuse!
Certain professionals are MANDATED BY
LAW to report suspected cases if the
individual is unable to report for themselves:
Social Service staff
Educators
Licensed Professionals
Law Enforcement
Formal Caregivers
State, County, local government
Types of Abuse
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Financial Exploitation
◦ Misusing an older or disabled persons’ money
or resources for the personal gain of another
◦ Exerting undue influence-this includes the use
of emotional tactics such as inducing guilt,
shame, or anxiety to convince an older adult
or disabled person to make changes to a will
for the personal gain of the abuser.
◦ Stealing money or property
Indicators of Financial Exploitation
A gap between income and lifestyle
 Individual has no knowledge of their
finances
 Unusual activity in bank accounts
 Unpaid bills despite adequate resources
 Caregiver or family is evasive about the
financial arrangements.
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Types of Abuse
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Emotional Abuse - actions intended to
compel an eligible adult to engage in
conduct a person wants to abstain or
prevention of conduct wished to engage.
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Threats
Destruction of Property
Humiliation
Verbal Assaults
Harassment
Intimidation
Types of Abuse
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Physical Abuse is causing the infliction
of physical pain or injury to an eligible
adult.
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Assault
Battery
Hitting
Slapping
Pulling Hair
Burning
Over Medicating
Indicators of Physical Abuse
Bruises and other physical injuries
 Bilateral injuries
 Injuries at various healing stages
 Over or under medicated
 Dehydration
 Malnutrition
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Types of Abuse
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Confinement – restraining or isolating
an individual for reasons other than
medically necessary.
◦ Denies access to phone/mail
◦ Controls activities of individual
◦ Limits time the individual spends with loved
ones
Types of Abuse

Passive Neglect
◦ Failure of the caregiver
to provide for the
basic needs of the
older adult, including
food, medicine, shelter,
clothing, etc……….
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Willful Neglect
◦ Intentional failure of
the caregiver to
provide for the basic
needs of the older
adult, including food,
medicine, shelter,
clothing,
etc……………..
Indicators of Neglect
Leaving a dependent adult alone
 Unsanitary or hazardous conditions
 Inadequate food
 Malnutrition
 Inappropriate clothing for the weather
 Utilities turned off
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Types of Abuse
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Sexual Abuse
◦ Any non-consensual sexual conduct
◦ Any sexual activity with a person who is
unable to understand or give consent
◦ Any sexual act committed under threat of
harm
◦ Any forced sexual act
Indicators of Sexual Abuse
Behavior Signs
 Expression of fear
around males
 Withdrawn or
sexualized behavior
 Refusing to
cooperate with
normal routine
Physical Signs
 Genitals or anal area
bruised
 Vaginal or anal
bleeding
 Swelling or redness
of genital area
 Venereal Disease
What Constitutes Abuse ?
Victim 18 – 59 years of age with a
disability or
 A senior 60 +
 Victim resides in a domestic setting
 Alleged Abuse has occurred within the
past 12 months
 Alleged abuse must be caused by
someone other than the victim
 Reporter must name an abuser
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The Intake Process
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The report taker shall attempt to secure
all the information on the ANE Intake
Form.
◦ Alleged victims name, address, age, phone
number.
◦ If the APS case worker can contact the
reporter for further information.
◦ The reason the reporter has a concern.
◦ Any knowledge the reporter has regarding
any risk of harm to the alleged victim.
The Intake Process, Cont.
‒Knowledge the reporter may have about
any danger the case worker might have.
‒Knowledge the reporter may have about
the mental and physical condition of
the
alleged victim and alleged abuser.
‒The identity and location of possible
witnesses
‒Directions to any rural route, apartment
number or other address.
‒ If the reporter is a mandated report.
Defining Urgency
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Priority I = Serious Physical Harm or
Immediate Danger
◦ Caseworker must respond within 24 hours
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Priority II = Less Serious Consequences
than Priority I
◦ Caseworker must respond within 72 hours
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Priority III = Emotional Abuse, Financial
Exploitation with no Immediate threat
◦ Caseworker has 7 days to respond.
Behavior Characteristic of the Victim
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Fearful
Withdrawn
Hesitant to talk
Depressed
Helpless
Confused and/or
disoriented
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Angry
Explanations of
injuries do not make
sense
Denial
Non-Responsive
Agitated/ anxious
Behavior Characteristics of the Abuser
Doesn’t allow the
victim to speak for
themselves
 Lack of assistance
 Attitudes of
indifference or anger
toward victim
 Aggressive Behavior
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Substance Abuse
Mental Illness
Gives conflicting
accounts of incidents
Non-Compliance
with plan of care
Blames victim
Conclusion
Protect individuals from abuse, neglect,
and exploitation
 Report any suspicions of abuse, you can
remain anonymous
 Help people stay in their homes
 Report any concerns to
 1-866-800-1409
 Visit IDOA website for more information
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www.state.il.us/aging
Adult Protective Services

In July of 2013 the Adult Protective
Services Act was established. It expanded
the Illinois Elder Abuse and Neglect Act
to include disabled individuals ages 18 –
59, as well as, individuals 60 years of age
and older.