New Laws in Illinois to Offer More Protection for Seniors
On Saturday, July 28, 2012, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed several new laws to protect senior citizens in Illinois. Governor Quinn has long been committed to protecting Illinois seniors and the signing of these new laws in just an extension of that commitment. The laws signed on Saturday "will promote safety, increase oversight and accountability for caregivers and help authorities identify and respond to reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation." http://www.enewspf.com/latest-news/latest-local/35152-governor-quinn-signs-new-laws-to-protect-illinois-seniors-.html.
Some highlights of the laws include giving law enforcement and fire departments access to reports of elder abuse, neglect, financial exploitation or self-neglect compiled by senior service providers, allowing the Illinois Department on Aging to receive reports of elder abuse or neglect for senior service providers via the internet and requiring nursing home residents' identification wristlets to include their facility's telephone number so that those residents who are found outside of their facility can be returned safely.
Each of the new laws seeks to address an area in which elder care has been deficient. These laws will help reduce instances of abuse, neglect and nursing home injuries, as well as facilitate more efficient communication to more efficiently and effectively address the needs of Illinois' senior citizens.
If you or someone you love has been injured, neglected or abused in a nursing home at the hands of nursing home caretakers, please contact Ed Fox & Associates today.
