Illinois Seniors

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The Chicago Tribune reported on April 17, 2014 that older people may need to taper off
of taking sleeping pills. It has been found that there has been significant memory loss and even a
higher rate of car accidents in older adults taking sleeping medications. Patients who are now in
their eighties have been taking medications in a class called benzodiazepines and have not been
taken off these drugs. As they age, they become more sensitive to the medication. A younger
person may take the drug to get a good night's sleep before a particularly stressful event but the
elderly do not need this added unwanted side effect. The April issue of the Journal of American
Medical Association reports that this is a major safety issue in the elderly
(http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/sns-rt-us-sleeping-pills-20140417,0,4412837.story)
The Daily Herald reported that two St. Charles nursing home workers were arrested for
abusing an elderly women who was 97 years old. One of the more prolific problems reported in
seniors in the Illinois area is abuse of the elderly. This is a physical and health problems and
dangerous for the many older adults living in Illinois. Abuse is not only the physical pain caused
by injury but also from neglect that often occurs when caregivers who are family cease to take
care of the elder. They may tire of the elder's needs and constant care. The elder refuses to
report the abuse because they do not want to be put in a nursing facility
(http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20140314/news/140318893/)

Contrary to the newspaper report in the Daily Herald, nursing home abuse in not as
plentiful as that of family abuse. A big part of this may be financial abuse. The elder cannot
longer get around to take care of their own finances and depends on their child or friend to take
care of the bills and checkbook. The family member or friend starts to take advantage of them
by taking money for themselves.

Abuse should never be taken lightly. An abused person that is seen by another person
cannot refuse to have her situation reported. If she were to come to the hospital with injuries that
were clearly related to abuse, the healthcare team must report it to the authorities. Any child
who may be in a potential abusive situation must be reported, so know the laws of your area.
Do not ignore a family you think is being abused by a father or mother because you are
afraid that may become upset. An elder who can no longer balance their ...