Hi all. We had a terrible outcome when my parent went into a skilled nursing facility (passed away due to neglect and bed sores). After consulting with members on this forum, my siblings and I decided to retain a law firm to pursue damages against the nursing home (FWIW, www.seniorjustice.com did a wonderful job). Now we have made a substantial recovery, but I'd like to donate it to a deserving charity or non-profit that's goal is to stop elder abuse. I would not wish this experience on my worst enemy and I'd like to take some of the funds received and put them towards better accountability for these nursing homes.
Any suggestions on a reputable charity that focuses on stopping elder abuse and neglect? Thanks in advance.
Your funds may go further if you donate to a local, county or state program rather than trying to find a national one. You can consider donating to your local senior center to fund an annual educational seminar on what to look for when seniors and their LOs are researching facilities, how to spot abuse, etc. Prevention through education may be more helpful and funds better spent.
Depending on the amount of the settlement you could create a legal aid fund for low-income litigants;
Look into how ombudsmen for nursing homes are funded and see if you can support more positions so that more can be available to pursue complaints;
Very happy for your success is prosecuting your case and admire your generosity in giving back to help others!
I'm very sorry for what happened to your parent.
In doing some online searching I am really only finding orgs that deal with in-home abuse/neglect and not facility-base. I guess it comes down to what you define as "protect" and at what point? Right now the layers are: PoAs/guardians; ombudsmen; lawyers; and inside whistleblowers. I don't know how you would stop the abuse/neglect from happening in the first place if the PoAs/guardians aren't keeping an eye on their charges. Essential workers within the facility that are seeing problems would logically be the next in line to alert someone to problems. So, maybe an anonymous hotline for them that then turns the info over to some authority upon which they can act? Isn't there already a system of inspection that NHs must pass? (I don't know the answer to that). By time ombudsmen and lawyers get involved the abuse/neglect is already well under way, so intervention must occur earlier. Maybe you can start by asking an ombudsman or elder law attorney that specializes in abuse as you'd think they know of orgs or at least have some helpful insights. Maybe even talk to social workers.
I want to offer my sincere condolences for your loss. May your loved one Rest In Peace.
I sincerely hope that you can find peace after such an unsettling experience.
Going back many years, Jessica Mitford wrote 'The American Way of Death' about funeral homes, and it had world wide influence for many years (including my mother's funeral wishes years later). Perhaps you could finance something similar.