ALLIANCE Health Spokesman Kieran McCarthy MLA has said he is disgusted by a new government report that says that as many as half a million elderly elderly people are being abused.
The Strangford Assembly member stated: “Abuse of older people is one of the hidden crimes in our society. Older people are amongst the most vulnerable, yet are probably the least likely to complain.
“This new report makes a convincing case for better training of professional carers, in areas such as dispensing medicine for health reasons rather than pacification. Staff and carers must also be able to better spot abuse when it does happen, so that it can be dealt with quickly.
“We need everyone from the Health Minister to the ‘home help’ to work together to end elder abuse, from whatever source it comes from, quickly. Older people deserve better.”