Old people need more protection
6/07/2008 Sunday Mirror UK
The elderly can be as vulnerable as children. Yet, while a battery of laws and regulations controls who can work with youngsters, there is virtually no protection for senior citizens.
Today the Sunday Mirror reports on one shocking consequence - the appalling abuse meted out by Nina Strange to the inmates of the care home she ran in Derbyshire.
One elderly woman had her teeth forcefully brushed using the bath water she had dirtied because she was incontinent.
Others were hit by Strange, who violently pulled the hair of another woman. All the victims were in their 80s and defenceless.
Such behaviour is scandalous. Yet as Gary Martin of the charity Action Against Elder Abuse says: "There are laws to prevent cruelty to children and animals but nothing for the elderly." It is shameful that no protection is given to people in their twilight years. They are entitled to a little comfort and peace of mind after a lifetime of struggle, not to be exposed to the brutality of someone like Strange.
As it is, we only learnt about her because a trainee carer was so appalled by her behaviour that she went to the police.
Even so, this monster got away with a suspended sentence and some community work.
Action Against Elder Abuse is campaigning for laws to protect the elderly. These include a national register for care home staff, a code of practice and better training.
The Sunday Mirror not only supports these demands but we find it incredible that they have to be asked for.
Don't the politicians who run this country care about how the elderly are treated? There must be laws to prevent brutes like Nina Strange ever being allowed near vulnerable older people.
SOURCE: SundayMirror UK
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