Elder abuse and neglect (EA/N) affects 1 in 10 older adults. Despite high prevalence rates of elder abuse and neglect (EA/N), compliance with mandatory reporting remains low; a lack of practical training on EA/N has been identified as a barrier. Researchers at Michigan State University have developed an innovative virtual-reality based educational program intended to improve EA/N recognition and reporting among nurses and social workers providing in-home services.
Participants made gains in knowledge in identification and had 99% accuracy in their mandatory reporting decisions.