NCJ Number
121546
Date Published
1987
Length
12 pages
Annotation
The Illinois Elder Abuse Demonstration Program Act, 1984 established projects to determine the most appropriate way to assist older persons who are abused and neglected.
Abstract
Three models were tested at four sites: 1) Child Abuse, Mandatory Reporting Model, 2) Legal Intervention Model, and 3) Advocacy Model. Findings from the program recognized that the victim of elder abuse and neglect is an adult in a vulnerable position and that intervention is required. Certain services were identified as necessary enhancements to existing services. The report recommended an administrative structure involving coordination between agencies and providers. When the three year demonstration period expired, the legislature did not appropriate funds for 1988 which would have established a program modeled on the least intrusive Advocacy Model. Therefore the Department of Aging responds to cases of elder abuse on an ad hoc basis. At the time of the report (October 1987) Illinois had not enacted legislation addressing the problem of elder abuse and neglect.