ELIMINATE ELDERLY ABUSE

Declares the intent to eradicate financial abuse of the elderly in Illinois. Urges the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Aging to work together to produce educational materials for elderly citizens of Illinois explaining their rights, the warning signs of financial exploitation, and appropriate reporting methods. Urges the 13 Illinois Area Agencies on Aging Ombudsperson programs to partner with long-term care facilities in their respective regions to provide appropriate educational information and reporting methods to clients and patients on an annual basis. Urges the Illinois State Bar Association Elder Law Section to work to develop appropriate legal materials for long-term care facilities and State's Attorneys that offer information on identifying and prosecuting financial abuse of elderly citizens. Urges the Illinois State Medical Society and the Illinois Nurses Association to provide their respective members with appropriate educational materials to assist with identifying and reporting suspected financial abuse of Illinois' older citizens.