New Law Could Shed Light on Elder Abuse

PEORIA – A new law is helping tackle what experts are calling the big issue of elder abuse.

“The problem is huge it's only going to continue to grow as our population ages,” said Joyce Derenzy, director of adult protective services at the Center for Prevention of Abuse. She said the six locations throughout Central Illinois work with about 300 of those clients every month.

“Statistically speaking we know that for every one reported we get there are at least 13 we don't get and if it's financial exploitation there are at least 25 we don't get,” Derenzy said.

Tazewell County Coroner James Baldi said a lot of times abuse happens at home.

“Sometimes family members aren't always as skilled, trained, patient as they should be,” Baldi said.

One of the more recent cases is that of Washington woman Carole Levin, who died in July. In March, her daughter and caregiver, Jennifer Levin was indicted, facing three counts of criminal neglect of an elderly person.

Baldi's office was only clued in when the funeral home noticed something suspicious. He said if they hadn't said anything, “we probably we would have missed it.”

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New Law Could Shed Light on Elder Abuse