(815) 758-6550
Adult Protective Services
#Engage2Change encourages change on an individual and community basis with regard to the abuse, neglect, exploitation, and other types of abuse of older adults and adults with disabilities in Illinois. All people deserve to be safe, secure, and supported in all life stages. Elder Care Services will continue to educate, advocate and protect those who are vulnerable in our community. How will you #Engage2Change for yourself or your community?
Engage with those around you and speak up for change.
The Adult Protective Services Program, under the authority of the Illinois Adult Protective Services Act, responds to reports of alleged abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and other types of abuse of persons 60 years of age and older and of persons aged 18-59 with disabilities living in the community. In DeKalb County, Elder Care Services is the only agency designated by the Illinois Department on Aging to investigate and intervene on behalf of persons who are victims of reported acts of abuse. In all aspects of service delivery, the mentally competent adult’s right to make their own decisions is our primary consideration.
The Adult Protective Services Program is designed to build upon the existing legal, medical, and social service systems in place and ensures the system is more responsive to the needs of abuse victims. Program services include a 24-hour hotline, standardized screening, and investigation of all reports received. Abuse and self-neglect reports are often made by mandated reporters such as police, emergency medical service providers, home care aids, or from non-mandated reporters such as family, friends, neighbors, or the victims themselves. Anonymous reports are also accepted. In all circumstances, confidentiality is maintained for any reporter, as required by law.
Victims of substantiated reports of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and other types of abuse are provided case planning and case management coordination to stabilize and reduce subsequent risk. Follow-up oversight may also continue for an additional year to ensure problems do not re-occur.
What Is Abuse?
Illinois law describes abuse as causing any physical, mental, or sexual injury to an eligible adult, including exploitation of such adult’s financial resources. “Eligible adult” means either an adult with disabilities aged 18-59 or a person aged 60 or older who resides in a domestic living situation and is, or is alleged to be, abused, neglected, or financially exploited by another individual or who neglects himself or herself.
Report Abuse and Neglect:
Please call us at (815) 758-6550 during regular business hours to report any suspected abuse or self-neglect, or call the Illinois Adult Protective Services Hotline anytime at (866) 800-1409. Abuse and self-neglect reports alleging imminent harm are responded to 24/7.
Elder Care Services responds to reports of abuse to persons living in the residential community.
To report the abuse of an adult in a nursing facility, please call the Ombudsmen at (815) 316-0040 or (800) 369-0895.
To report abuse or neglect of an adult with disabilities between the ages of 18-59 who lives in and receives services in programs that are operated, licensed, certified, or funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services, please call the Office of Inspector General at (800) 368-1463.
Elder Care Services may take reports for persons residing in a licensed facility and the abuse occurs in the community by a non-staff member of the facility.
