Adult Protective Services defines abuse as any type of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, neglect, or exploitation to control or take advantage of seniors or adults with disabilities.

Physical – examples include: pushing, shoving, tripping, holding down, hitting, slapping, suffocating, restraining, kicking, giving inappropriate medication, etc.

Sexual – examples include: unwanted kissing, fondling, touching, unable to understand or give consent, threat of harm, etc.

Emotional – examples include: yelling, threatening, name calling, intimidation factors, undermining authority, humiliating the victim, harassment, etc.

Financial – examples include: withholding money, depriving someone of financial benefits, stealing, forging checks or ATM card, etc.

Neglect – examples include: failure to provide enough to eat or drink, not attending to personal hygiene, leaving a dependent adult alone without adequate supervision, unsanitary or hazardous conditions in the home, removing aids such as a wheelchair, not having access to adequate utilities, such as electricity or water, etc.

Confinement – examples include: restraining or isolating someone, denying access to phone/mail, limiting time spent with loved ones, etc.

There are a variety of indicators that might suggest someone is a victim of elder abuse or an individual with disabilities is being abused:

• Overall abuse: change in behavior, withdrawn, depressed, lack of interest in normal activities, appears hungry, unclean, frightened, fears being touched, change in sleep patterns, sudden onset of nightmares, explanations of injuries do not make sense
• Physical indicators: injuries not properly cared for, sunken eyes or cheeks, cuts, lacerations, puncture wounds, poor hygiene, pulled out hair, soiled clothes or bedding, improperly cared for bed sores, dehydration, broken bones, weight loss, malnourishment
• Financial indicators: unpaid bills when income is adequate, caregiver overly concerned with the individual’s money, overcharged for rent or services, personal loans not repaid, complaints of theft of property or money, suspicious changes in property title, ATM transactions by home-bound elder, new credit cards opened, missing checks or jewelry, large or unusual bank transactions, promises of lifelong care in exchange for assets

To make a report of elder abuse or to connect with Adult Protective Services, please call 309-637-3905. For more information on our available support services, please click here. If the abuse is taking place in a long-term care facility, our Long-Term Care Ombudsman program can help. Please call 309-272-2917.

Meeting Minutes for Central Illinois Fatality Review Team:

• Fatality Review Meeting Minutes March 2021
• Meeting Schedule 2021 and November 18, 2020 minutes
• Meeting Schedule 2020