ALONE EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER INCREASE IN REPORTS OF NURSING HOME ABUSE

ALONE, the charity that supports older people to age at home, has expressed disappointment over the increase in reports of abuse in nursing homes.

According to HIQA’s Overview Report of Nursing Home Inspections in 2015, released last week, there was a 20% increase in reports of abuse in nursing homes in 2015.

Sean Moynihan, CEO of ALONE, commented “The HIQA standards have been in place since 2009 so it is very concerning that we are still seeing an increase in reports of abuse. It is extremely distressing to read reports of some of our most vulnerable citizens being neglected and abused in our nursing homes.

“These are places that older people should feel safe and secure in the later years of their lives. It is especially worrying to hear of these reports now, considering the recent convictions for abuse of vulnerable people in care homes. We must reflect on what this says about us as a society that this is allowed to continue and there is not a national outrage.

“The state is paying millions each year for nursing homes to provide …