In recent months, there has
been a "disturbing" rise in the numbers of reports of possible abuse
of vulnerable elderly people in England.
Highlighted by the BBC
Panorama program which aired abused at a home owned by the Morleigh Group in
November 2016. This was not the first
Panorama investigation highlighting abuse and I’m certain that sadly it’s not
likely to be the last.
Through Freedom on Information
requests The Edith Ellen Foundation has found that an increase of 3% has been
reported. Reported abuse levels 5 years ago,
were at 61% rising to 64% in 2015/16 that equates to over 500,000 older people
being abused in the UK with prosecution rates for abuse lowering regardless of
the seriousness of the offense!
'Zero tolerance'
There needs to be a zero-tolerance
approach to abuse and neglect on our elderly.
Many reported acts of abuse
are perpetrated by Social Care Workers, who when asked were not even aware that
they, and not their organisation, are responsible and will be held accountable
for reports of neglect and abuse.
No matter how you look at the
results the numbers are disturbing even with more awareness of abuse in older
people being raised. Any abuse should
not be tolerated and is unacceptable.
If you have concerns or
suspect that your loved one is being abused or that someone you know is being abused,
then contact the police straight away.
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