The Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Financial Exploitation program (also known as adult protective services) assists older adults who are victims of physical, mental, or sexual abuse, whose care is neglected, or who are financially exploited. Self neglect is a new service component which will be added soon. Existing legal, medical, and social service systems are utilized to assure adequate and timely response to the needs of elder abuse victims and their families.

1. Use this link to find the agency which receives reports and conducts investigations into alleged abuse in Southern Illinois.
2. To report elder abuse elsewhere in Illinois, call the Illinois Senior Hotline at 1.800.252.8966 during office hours, or call 1.800.279.0400 after hours, or on weekends and holidays.
3. Domestic Violence & Shelters
4. Seniors Rights
5. Check our Resource Guide on Aging to find agencies, by county, which provide other services.

Services are coordinated through local agencies that investigate and assess reports, can include everything from housing, in-home care, and legal assistance to respite care and counseling.

By law, nothing about the alleged abuse can be revealed without the victims permission.

Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, neglect of personal care, medical neglect, and financial exploitation of older adults is considered elder abuse. According to the Illinois Department on Aging, People often find it surprising to learn that elder abuse is a family problem, with three out of four abusers being a spouse, child or other relative. About 75 percent of the alleged victims are women, and the average age is 78.

In response to reports of suspected abuse, Illinois implemented the Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Financial Exploitation program which intervenes in response to these reports. The Elder Abuse program is coordinated through local agencies in Illinois that conduct investigations and work with older adults in resolving abusive situations. Each year the number of elder abuse reports in Illinois has increased. Linkages with social workers, law enforcement, and hospital personnel and public education have helped the Elder Abuse Program identify suspected cases of elder abuse.

Financial exploitation is the type of abuse reported most frequently and is highly associated with emotional abuse and intimidation. Other types of reported abuse include passive neglect, physical abuse, willful deprivation of care, confinement, and sexual abuse. Victims generally experience more than one type of abuse.

Illinois has a limited mandatory reporting law, which requires certain professionals to make reports of older persons who are unable due to dysfunction to report for themselves.

Use this link to find the agency which receives reports and conducts investigations into alleged abuse in Southern Illinois. To report elder abuse elsewhere in Illinois, call the Illinois Senior Hotline at 1.800.252.8966 during office hours, or call 1.800.279.0400 after hours, or on weekends and holidays.

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