Elder Abuse Awareness Month

Most people understand that elder abuse is a huge problem in Illinois.  Still, you can't help but feel stunned when you learn tragic stories like that of 77-year-old Ivory Jackson, who was beaten to death at his nursing home.  Events like this constantly remind us that we need to do more to protect nursing home residents from harm.  That's why Gov. Blagojevich's proclamation of July as "Elder Abuse Awareness Month"--just a few days after Mr. Jackson died--felt especially relevant to the times.

“Our seniors have the right to be treated with dignity, respect, and to feel safe and secure.  Unfortunately, many seniors find themselves victims of abuse and neglect which is unacceptable,” said Gov. Blagojevich.  “The sooner we know about a case of abuse, the sooner we can put a stop to it.  But in order to keep up the fight against abuse and neglect, we need everyone to do their part.  If you suspect a case of elder abuse report it.  Elder Abuse prevention will help keep thousands of seniors safe each year.”

Click here to learn more about the proclamation, which is part of the state's "Break the Silence" campaign.

Awareness efforts like this are crucial, but reporting abuse isn’t the only way to keep residents safe.  We need to make sure our loved ones and their families can have their day in court and hold abusers accountable for wrongdoing.  Our lawmakers can take a big step forward on this front by passing The Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act in the House (H.R. 6126) and Senate (S. 2838).  Nursing homes increasingly rely on binding, mandatory arbitration hearings to take away the legal rights of abuse victims. This legislation would give victims back their rights and would hold abusers accountable to their victims.