Publications

Elder Rights

Preventing Elder Abuse in your Neighborhood:
See also: Elder Abuse and Neglect Program

• Books and Reports:
  • Elder Abuse and Neglect Act and Related Laws (book, 2011 - 289 KB) contains the full text of the Illinois Elder Abuse and Neglect Act (320 ILCS), as well as some related legislation such as the hearsay exceptions for elder abuse victims; a brief overview of the Elder Abuse and Neglect Program; a list of mandated reporters of elder abuse; and a list of the state's designated Elder Abuse Provider Agencies, their telephone numbers and the area each serves.
  
  
  
  • Elder Abuse and Neglect, A Guide for Attorneys (book, 1991) was developed as a tool for legal professionals to use in order to recognize the characteristics of elder abuse, develop an understanding of the problem and gain insight into ways to help older clients who may be victims of abuse. (Available to attorneys and other members of the legal profession.)
  
  
  
  • Reporting Elder Abuse: What Professionals Need to Know (book, 2011 - 291 KB) defines elder abuse; lists who is mandated to report it and under what circumstances; explains how to make a report; describes what happens once a report is made to the Elder Abuse and Neglect Program; provides indicators of each type of abuse; and lists the state's designated Elder Abuse Provider Agencies, their telephone numbers and the area each serves.
  
  
  
  • Elder Abuse and Neglect Program Annual Report, FY 2011 (8.5" x 11", 394 KB), Demographics, FY 2011 (11" x 17", 471 KB) provides information on services, principles and structure of this program, as well as a summary of abuse occurrences, state accomplishments in addressing these incidences and efforts to protect Illinois seniors.
    • FY 2010 (8.5" x 11", 394 KB), Demographics, FY 2010 (11" x 17", 489 KB)
    • FY 2009 (8.5" x 11", 314 KB), Demographics, FY 2009 (11" x 17", 414 KB)
    • FY 2008 (8.5" x 11", 141 KB), Demographics, FY 2008 (11" x 17", 280 KB)
    • FY 2007 (8.5" x 11", 144 KB), Demographics, FY 2007 (11" x 17", 283 KB)
    • FY 2006 (11" x 17", 384 KB)
    • FY 2005 (11" x 17", 475 KB)
    • FY 2004 (11" x 17", 156 KB)
  
  
  • Protocol for Law Enforcement: Responding to Victims of Elder Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation (book, 2011 - 486 KB) developed in partnership with the Illinois Family Violence Coordinating Councils.


• Brochures:
  • Elder Abuse and Neglect...How You Can Help (brochure, 2005 - 490 KB) provides detailed information on Illinois’ Elder Abuse and Neglect Act, profiles victims and abusers, defines various types of abuse, lists indications of abuse and neglect, and gives insight into the causes of abuse and intervention methods.



• Break the Silence – Elder Abuse Awareness Campaign
  See also: the Break the Silence! Web site
  • Brochure (2012, PDF - 377 KB)
    • En Español – Romper el Silencio: Reporte el Abuso de Ancianos (brochure, 2011 - 326 KB)
  
  
  • What Every Faith Community Needs to Know about Elder Abuse (brochure, 2011 - 98 KB)
  
  
  
  • Poster (2009, PDF - 398 KB)
    • En Español – Romper el Silencio: Reporte el Abuso de Ancianos (2009, PDF - 400 KB)
  
  



• B*SAFE: Bankers and Seniors Against Financial Exploitation brochures discuss how to avoid financial exploitation:
  • Protect Yourself – Stop financial exploitation before it happens! (brochure, 2011 - 690 KB)
  • Bankers can help stop senior exploitation before it happens! (brochure, 2011 - 1 MB)



• Be a Savvy Senior. Don't Be Fooled About Financial Abuse:
  • Brochure (2011 - 1.2 MB)
    • En Español – Sea un Anciano Práctico No Permita Ser Engañado...Acerca del Abuso Financiero (2008 - 295 KB)
  
  
  • Poster (2006, 11" x 14" - 735 KB)
    • En Español – Sea un Anciano Práctico ¿Ha sido usted Víctima del Abuso Financiero? ¡No permita que le suceda otra vez! (2006 - 736 KB)
  
  
  • Flyer Were you a victim of elder financial abuse? Don't let it happen again! (2006, 3.25" x 6.25" - 143 KB)
  
  
  
  • Flyer Were you a victim of a home repair scam or a telemarketing scam? Don't let it happen again! (2006, 3.25" x 6.25" - 143 KB)

Preventing Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes:
See also: Illinois Long-Term Ombudsman Program

• You Have a Voice! (8.5" x 11" brochure, 2011 - 703 KB) explains how the Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program works with nursing home residents, families, community groups and nursing home staff to resolve problems and ensure quality of life for all people in long term care facilities.
  • En Español – Usted tiene una voz! (2009 - 408 KB)


• Indicators and Action Steps! (9.83" x 11.17" brochure, 6/2008 - 84 KB) provides three lists of indicators, ranging from "good" to "bad," to help you recognize some of the signs of good and bad care in a long-term care facility. Each list is followed by "action steps" you can take to address your concerns.



• You Have the Right! (11" x 17" poster, 2011 - 519 KB) lists your rights as a resident of a long-term care facility and who to call with questions or complaints.
  • Chinese (11" x 17" poster, 2011 - 519 KB)
  • Korean (11" x 17" poster, 2011 - 519 KB)
  • Polish (11" x 17" poster, 2011 - 519 KB)
  • Russian (11" x 17" poster, 2011 - 519 KB)
  • Spanish (11" x 17" poster, 2011 - 519 KB)



• Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Annual Report, FY 2011 (8.5" x 11," 606 KB) provides information on services, principles and structure of this program, as well as a summary of challenges and accomplishments in efforts to protect the rights of older adults residing in long-term and intermediate care facilities.
  • FY 2010 (8.5" x 11," 635 KB)
  • FY 2008 (8.5" x 11," 360 KB)
  • FY 2006 (8.5" x 11," 690 KB)


• The Pioneer Approach to long-term care is a growing national movement to improve the quality of life for both long term care residents and staff. The following brochures provide information on this movement.



• Culture Change: Leading the Course for Change – for Residents and Families (brochure, 2009, 8.5 x 14 - 187 KB)



• Joining the Culture Change Journey: Person-Centered Care – for Facility Staff (brochure, 2009, 8.5 x 14 - 185 KB)



• Family Councils in Long-Term Care Facilities (brochure, 3/2009 - 139 KB) describes how family councils give families and friends a "united voice" to address issues that affect the quality of life for residents who live in long term care facilities.


• Resident’s Rights for People in Care Facilities – Care facility residents are guaranteed certain rights, protections and privileges according to Illinois and Federal law. The following brochures detail those rights and explain where to turn if rights are violated.
  
  
  • Resident’s Rights for People in Long Term Care Facilities (2011 - 502 KB)
  
  
  
  • Resident’s Rights for People in Supportive Living Facilities (2008 - 142 KB)
  
  
  
  • Resident’s Rights for People in Intermediate Care Facilities for the Developmentally Disabled (2008 - 162 KB)


• Money Follows the Person (brochure, 2011) is a statewide, multi-agency initiative to help older adults move out of the nursing home and back into their communities.



• Become a Long-Term Care Volunteer Ombudsman (brochure, 2005 - 86 KB) explains what an ombudsman is and how to volunteer.

Legal Services:
See also: Legal Services

• Discrimination is Illegal (brochure, 2003 - 59 KB) explains the Civil Rights Program developed by the Department on Aging in cooperation with the Area Agencies on Aging.



• Advance Directives (forms) resulted from an Illinois law which enables an individual to authorize another person to handle personal and business affairs in the event he or she is unable to, due to absence, illness or disability, and/or, under a separate procedure, to make health care decisions. Advance Directives include:
  
  
  • Power of Attorney for Property (2008, 159 KB) (New form will be posted soon.), a document that allows a person to delegate to another person the power to make decisions regarding assets, finances, bank accounts, and other types of property, including real estate.
  • Power of Attorney for Health Care (2011, 185 KB), a document that allows a person to delegate to another person the power to make decisions regarding health care matters if the individual becomes unable to do so.
  • Living Will (2008, 128 KB), a document that allows Illinois adults to legally authorize, in advance, withholding of life-sustaining procedures should they become terminally ill or injured. The living will is prepared while the individual is able to make independent decisions, thereby removing a heavy burden from family and other loved ones.
  
  These Advance Directive forms and instructions are provided free of charge by the Illinois Department on Aging. Contact the Senior HelpLine.

  Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission also provides Advanced Directive Forms.

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Housing Options

• Housing Options for Older Adults (brochure, 2009, 11 x 17 - 343 KB) outlines numerous choices people have when planning how and where they wish to reside as they get older. Various community–based options – from remaining in one’s own home to sharing a residence with other people to retirement facilities – are described.



• Housing Directory for Illinois Seniors (book, 2001) a collaboration of the Illinois Department on Aging and the Illinois Housing Development Authority, this 265-page directory lists private and public facilities exclusively for the elderly.



• The Reverse Mortgage...what you need to know (brochure, 2009 - 365 KB) answers basic questions homeowners might ask about reverse mortgages. This special loan guarantees monthly cash advances or occasional lump sum payments that don’t require re–payment until the homeowner dies, moves or sells the home.

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Prescription Drug Assistance

See also:

• Illinois Cares Rx (8.5" x 14" brochure, 2010) describes the Illinois Cares Rx program that helps ease the burden of prescription drug costs for older people and people with disabilities.
  
  En Español – Illinois Cares Rx (2009, el 2010 venir pronto): Cobertura de recetas médicas para Personas de la Tercera Edad y Personas con Incapacidades.



• Help with Your Medication (brochure and form, 2003 - 83 KB) helps those who use prescription and over-the-counter medications avoid problems from drug interactions. Readers are encouraged to talk with their physicians and pharmacists about all medications they are taking.
  
  The Personal Medications Record is incorporated into the brochure and is designed to encourage older adults to maintain a list of all medications (prescriptions and over–the–counter) and other substances, including alcohol, that they use for health care or as personal choice. The list allows physicians and pharmacists to better treat and help older patients/customers.

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Volunteer & Intergenerational Programs

See also:

• Foster Grandparent Program (brochure, 2005 - 51 KB) provides opportunities for older adults to work with children who have exceptional needs.



• Illinois Volunteer Money Management Program (brochure, 2006 - 258 KB) describes how volunteers provide protective service for limited income seniors who need help managing their finances. The program is co–sponsored by the Department and AARP.



• Become a Long-Term Care Volunteer Ombudsman (brochure, 2005 - 86 KB) Volunteers are needed to work with nursing home residents, families, community groups and nursing home staff to resolve problems and ensure quality of life for all people in long term care facilities.



• "Read Me a Story!" A Guide for Producing a Reading Series on Local Television (book, 2002) – Developed in 1999 through a partnership with the Illinois State Library, Barnes and Noble Booksellers, and Access 4 Cable television, this program guide offers ideas and suggestions for creating a video series showing seniors reading children's stories. The program was designed to stimulate children's interest in reading and encourage seniors to read to children. Although broadcast is limited to local cable companies, the guide offers an excellent tool for recruiting volunteers to read to children.



• Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (brochure, 2005 - 47 KB) describes how this program, a part of the National Senior Service Corp, matches community needs with older people willing to help.

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Contact

To receive publications not currently online or for more information, contact the Illinois Department on Aging's Senior HelpLine.

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