Investigation finds human rights abuses in elderly care

Jo Carlowe

Monday, 20 June 2011

Older people’s basic human rights are being overlooked in the provision of care at home, according to a major inquiry.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission today reported that it has uncovered ‘worrying’ cases in its investigation into how well the home based care and support system in England is protecting the rights of people over 65.

In gathering evidence, the Commission has uncovered examples of people being left in bed for 17 hours or more between care visits; a failure to wash people regularly and provide them with the support they need to eat and drink. There are also cases of people being left in soiled beds and clothing for long periods.

In addition, a high staff turnover means that some people have a huge number of different carers performing intimate tasks such as washing and dressing. In one case a woman recorded having 32 different carers over a two week period.

Major problems that have emerged as a result of the inquiry include: inadequate time to deliver care (in some cases home visits take just 15 minutes) meaning staff have to wash or omit tasks; older people having little control over the time of visits, high staff turnover and a lack of staff awareness, training and the failure to deliver adequate care.

Commenting on the findings, Michelle Mitchell, Age UK’s Charity Director, said: “Let’s not mince words about what the findings show - leaving someone in soiled beds or clothing for a long time, or failing to ensure that an older person is able to eat or drink is serious neglect and should be treated as such.

"But more than that, providing personal care for older people should not be about completing tasks in whatever is the quickest or cheapest way....Despite commitments made by both the previous and current Government, basic rights to dignity, respect and autonomy are still being breached.

“The biggest threat to the human rights of older people receiving care at home is from cuts to adult social care budgets and it is very unclear whether tightening eligibility criteria to care will allow local authorities to continue to meet their human rights obligations.”

The Equality and Human Rights Commission will issue a full report in November 2011.