14 October 2005
Care commissioners and providers need to do more to stop the abuse of elderly people rather than blaming its occurrence on lack of resources, a conference organised by the Commission for Social Care Inspection and Action on Elder Abuse was told this week.
Sue Toole, business relationship manager at the CSCI, told Public Finance in advance of the event that the care sector needed to 'look at habits and behaviours; create a culture where people aren't afraid to speak out'.
Last year, the Commons' health select committee reported that as many as half a million elderly people were being abused. Incidents include physical, mental, financial and sexual abuse and over-medication and are often perpetrated by those entrusted with the person's care.
AEA consultant Les Bright told PF : 'The most depressing thing, other than to see the way people are treated, was to see people rallying around the call that this is a problem of resources. The issue isn't just money or staff time, it's also the approach to attending to people's everyday needs.'
PFoct2005
