Nursing Home Abuse Laws in Illinois

The Elder Abuse and Neglect Act of Illinois was put into effect in 1988 to help protect the states nursing home residents from living in an abusive environment. The laws cover many areas of abuse and govern how the elderly are treated while living in any health care facility in the state.

Abusive Acts

• Under Illinois law, elderly patients staying in any nursing home or health care facility are to remain from abuse by any staff member. This includes physical, sexual and emotional abuse. A patient also has the right to be free from confinement, passive neglect and deprivation.

Exploitation

• An elderly person living in a home environment is to remain free of exploitation by other household members or caregivers. Any suspected cases of exploitation are to be reported to the appropriate agencies who will assign a caseworker to oversee that the individual's rights are not being violated. Should the advocate find that the elderly person is in danger of being abused or exploited, relocation is likely to take place.

Self-Induced Neglect

• Elderly people who do not or cannot take care of themselves properly are participating in self-induced neglect. Such cases occur when an individual is either mentally or physically unable to care for her own needs. An intervention needs to be performed in order to ensure personal safety of the individual.

Making a Report

• Anyone who sees or hears of an elderly person being abused should contact the appropriate agency regarding the matter. Every area in Illinois is required to provide some sort of reporting agency that oversees that the elderly are being taken care of properly.