State follows nationwide movement to stop elder abuse

In August, Illinois introduced a bill to amend the Elder Abuse and Neglect Act by adding a section that establishes elder abuse task forces, called "fatality review teams."

Though no such task forces exist in Missouri, the Illinois bill is part of what sources say is a nationwide movement toward recognizing the problem of elder abuse.

"It is what child abuse was during the '80s. People are finally recognizing, hey, adults can be hurt, too." said Marta Fontaine, a planner for Adult Protective Services in Jefferson City, Mo.

According to the bill, the review teams will investigate any death involving blunt force trauma, of an undetermined cause in which a review is requested by the deceased's physician. Reviews will also be done when law enforcement or adult protective services is involved.

In Missouri, though state law prohibits adult abuse and neglect, the only cases that are investigated are those brought to the attention of authorities through the Elder Abuse and Neglect Hotline.

The hot line, 800-392-0210, available 24 hours a day, is staffed by 13 social service workers and covers all of Missouri.

Each case reported to the hot line will be assigned a case number and classification based on the perceived level of urgency, then forwarded to adult protective services to assign to the appropriate local division of department of health.

If the case needs immediate attention, staff members will call the reporting party and assess the situation within 24 hours; if not, they typically have seven days to respond, said Tim Jackson, home community services supervisor for Cape Girardeau, Scott, Bollinger, Ste. Genevieve and Perry counties.

Often, cases of self-neglect are reported to the hot line, and beyond offering home-care service options to the individual, staff investigators find their hands tied in convincing the elderly to accept assistance.

"These are adults, this is their home, and they have the right to stay if they so choose," said Fontaine.

Should there be evidence of actual physical abuse, adult protective services plays a "first responders" role in gauging the existence, severity and source of the problem, then contacting local law enforcement.

"We do a real thorough investigation to determine that abuse really did occur, often involving law enforcement, then turn it over to the prosecuting attorney," said Jackson.

Frequently, a report will come in about a professional caregiver or home care provider neglecting or abusing a patient in their charge, said Jackson.

In those cases, that person's name will be added to a list that circulates between home care provider agencies, so they are aware of complaints about that person, he said.

In 2006 there were 16,395 reports of neglect and abuse on people living within the community, and 5,880 calls concerning those in nursing homes or assisted living facilities in Missouri.

Jackson's office receives about 20 to 25 reports each month concerning local cases of neglect or abuse, he said.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

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