HR0032 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0032 LRB100 06319 MST 16357 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The financial exploitation of elderly Illinois citizens continues to plague our State; and

WHEREAS, Studies indicate that one in nine senior citizens reported some form of abuse, neglect, or exploitation in the past 12 months; one in 20 older adults indicate some form of perceived financial mistreatment in the recent past; 90% of elderly abusers are family members; and

WHEREAS, Elderly financial exploitation is vastly underreported with only one in 44 instances reported; and

WHEREAS, Financially abused seniors are more likely to turn to Medicaid as a direct result of their funds being stolen; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 6.3 million older adults are in need of some long-term care; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that nearly 13 million elderly citizens will access some form of long-term care by 2050; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 20% of senior citizens will incur more than $25,000 in out-of-pocket costs related to long-term care; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare our intent to eradicate financial abuse of the elderly in Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge 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; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge 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; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge 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; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge 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; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Aging, the 13 Illinois Area Agencies on Aging, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Illinois State Medical Society, and the Illinois Nurses Association.