Leader: Elderly are forgotten victims

Human rights watchdogs claim the treatment of elderly people has become so bad in some of Britain’s worst care homes that it could be legally classed as torture.

That may sound rather melodramatic.

But while the majority of providers undoubtedly offer an excellent service, barely a week seems to pass without a new case emerging of neglect, abuse, negligence or bad practice.

Today, Shropshire is in the spotlight, after the owner of a county care home was fined £100,000 for health and safety failings which led to the death of a 79-year-old woman.

Some may say those responsible for care crimes are lucky that penalties are just financial, and do not land the culprits in jail, because those who handle the care of elderly people carry one of life’s heaviest burdens.

There have been too many victims across the UK this year; too many apologies from care providers; and too much talk about tightening up industry standards without any apparent signs of improvement.

Remember, this care is not being provided free of charge. In many instances, older people are having to sell their homes to pay the bills – a disgraceful situation which merely rubs salt into the wounds.

Enough is enough. If young children were being treated in this manner, you can be sure that widespread action would have been taken long ago, and it would be at the very top of the Government’s agenda.

But despite making up an ever-increasing percentage of our society, old people seem to be the silent, forgotten victims.

Elderly people deserve dignity and respect, and their families should have the peace of mind that this is the very least they are receiving from healthcare experts who are paid to protect them.