• Illinois elder protection laws protect seniors from financial fraud and abuse.old woman image by Alexander Raths from Fotolia.com
  
  The National Center for Victims of Crime states that one-third to one-half of elder abuse cases involve financial abuse or exploitation. Section 101 of the federal Older Americans Act declares that "the older people of our nation are entitled to secure equal opportunity to the full and free enjoyment of" basics such as adequate housing and health services and protection against abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The states are obligated to the elderly under this federal act, and Illinois has legislation regarding elderly senile fraud protection.
  
  

Illinois Act on Aging

• The Illinois Act on the Aging describes the ability of the aging to "maintain self-sufficiency and personal well-being with the dignity to which their years of labor entitle them" as "matters of profound import and concern for all of the people of this state." The act creates protections for the elderly, defines the Illinois Department on Aging and the services to be provided to the elderly in Illinois, mandates specialized Alzheimer's Day Care Resource Centers and outlines many other services for the elderly provided by the state.
  
  

Elder Abuse and Neglect Act

• The Illinois Elder Abuse and Neglect Act defines elder abuse as "causing any physical, mental or sexual injury to an eligible adult, including exploitation of such adult's financial resources" and an abuser as "a person who abuses, neglects, or financially exploits an eligible adult." Illinois mandates that any professional in contact with the elderly who suspects or has knowledge of abuse, including financial abuse, must report it to the proper authorities. Doctors, lawyers, paramedics, financial advisers, social workers, psychologists and accountants are mandatory reporters. The act defines many protective responsibilities to the elderly, including promotion of prevention of elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation, coordinating elder abuse prevention and education efforts with other agencies and gathering data about and monitoring performance of elder prevention agencies and services.
  
  

Older Adult Services Act

• The Illinois Older Adult Service Act defines how Illinois is to transition from facility-based services to home-based and community-based services for better protection of seniors and elderly persons. It outlines how the transitions are implemented, including health, welfare and financial protections for the elderly, as well as committees, departments and institutions involved in implementation.
  
  

Family Caregiver Act

• The Illinois Family Caregiver Act provides protections for elderly persons and their families who take on additional physical, emotional and financial stress caring for an elderly relative. It outlines services, providers, specific activities and responsibilities of those caring for elderly relatives and the agencies who assist them. It also defines methods used to monitor quality of services to the elderly.
  
  

Illinois Human Rights Act

• The Illinois Department on Aging states that the Illinois Human Rights Act is relevant to the Department of Aging, as well as several other statutes and administrative rules. Human rights are defined as freedom from unlawful discrimination, protected public health, welfare and safety, constitutional guarantees and equal opportunity. The Human Rights Commission is charged with protecting the weak, disabled and disenfranchised, including the rights to be free from abuse and exploitation. It defines elder rights, an elder abuse and neglect program, a long-term care ombudsman program and discrimination procedures.