World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Spotlights Safety Risks for Nursing Home Residents

    NOVI, MI, June 14, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Do you know whether someone you care about is receiving poor treatment at a nursing home or other long-term care facility? World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15 is meant to serve as a reminder to individuals and society at large to stay alert for the signs of neglectful and abusive treatment of older people who rely on others for care.

Abuse of elderly Americans is a widespread problem and one that far too often goes unnoticed or unreported. As the population ages with more and more Baby Boomers entering their elder years, the problem is likely to become worse - unless friends and family members stand up for the safety of their elderly loved ones.

A small sample of startling statistics about elder abuse and nursing home abuse include:

- About 10 percent of Americans over age 60 have suffered elder abuse.
- Only about 1 out of every 14 incidents of elder abuse are reported to authorities.
- Victims of elder abuse face a 300% greater likelihood of death.
- Nearly a third of nursing homes were cited for violations of federal standards during a three-year period.
- In a survey of residents, 44% said they had been a victim of abuse, and 95% said they had been neglected or seen another resident suffer neglect.

ForMyParent, an organization that was founded by Michigan attorney Ken Stern to inform the public about elder abuse and help individuals identify signs that something could be amiss, urges the public to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by taking time to become more familiar with the problem. Reviewing nursing homes in your area - especially those where your loved ones reside - can help you better understand the conditions in long-term care facilities and provide the information you need to protect the health and safety of residents.

ForMyParent has developed a powerful tool for assessing the quality of care and the prevalence of abuse at long-term care facilities across the country. Our interactive map allows you to select facilities in your area or anywhere in the country to find out important safety information, including:

- An overall rating of the facility on a scale of 1 to 5 stars
- The number of reported incidents
- The number of substantiated claims
- The total amount of fines and penalties
- Details about health and fire safety deficiencies
- Figures about nurse staffing per resident
- A weighted health survey score

ForMyParent's site also provides information about how to detect signs of nursing home abuse or neglect and how to report it. It also includes an FAQ section with answers to common questions about nursing home abuse and neglect. The site's ultimate goal is to prevent elder abuse by helping the public understand how it occurs and by identifying facilities with a poor track record of addressing the tragic problem. It combines the functions of both a resource and a tool to assist relatives and other caregivers as they search for a facility that can provide an elderly loved one with a safe place to live and receive needed care. The site is also designed to provide tools and information to help relatives and concerned advocates prevent or stop the abuse or neglect of vulnerable residents.

Not only can ForMyParent.com serve as a valuable resource for evaluating long-term care facilities before selecting the right one, it can also provide critical information for family members or other concerned individuals who suspect a resident may be suffering abuse or neglect in a nursing home. The site includes critical information in plain language about the rights of residents, warning signs of abuse, types of abuse and neglect, and what steps to take if a lawsuit is necessary.

Interview opportunities and further information is available by contacting Brandon Harig at [email protected] or by calling (248) 347-7317.

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