Forum Brief: Elder abuse

The Commons health select committee has called on the government to take action against abuse of elderly people by relatives and carers.

Government Response: Department of Health

Health minister Stephen Ladyman said: "We share the Committee's concerns about the abuse of older people and agree that more needs to be done to protect these vulnerable members of our society whether they are being cared for by a family member or professional carer. This government has worked hard to tackle the abuse of older people and has made it clear that there will be no hiding place in the care system for those who abuse vulnerable adults.

"We welcome this report and will be studying the recommendations. The government will publish a full response in the near future."

Party Response: Conservatives

Shadow health minister Simon Burns MP said: "For too long, elderly abuse has been the problem that dare not speak its name. It has been swept under the carpet as if it did not exist. 

"It is imperative that action is taken in one area to avoid another Harold Shipman scenario – that is, where GPs own a care home and that GP is responsible for issuing death certificates.  We cannot have the situation where GPs are judges and juries on issues as sensitive as this and action must be taken to avoid any future problems."

Forum Response: Carers UK

Imelda Redmond, chief executive of Carers UK, said: "Abuse should never be condoned and it is vital that we tackle this head on. It is essential that we ensure the dignity and human rights of all vulnerable people and this report offers a number of tangible recommendations that will help raise awareness of the issue and provide methods to directly identify and deal with abuse.

"When an elderly person uses paid homecare staff, residential respite care or they are considering permanent residential care, carers need the peace of mind and assurance that their relative is safe and that there are systems in place to identify and deal with abuse quickly. 

"The report shows that although most abuse takes place in the home, it is less likely to be the main carer who is the perpetrator.  In cases most people are looked after at home by loving relatives without any signs of abuse.  It is important that we understand this if we are to tackle this serious issue effectively.

"Carers UK recognises that abuse sometimes occurs between carers and the relatives, partners or friends for whom they care. In most instances, it seems to occur because there are already problems within a relationship – one of the indicators illustrated by Action on Elder Abuse.

"In reporting on this issue, Carers UK said it was vital to be clear around the use of the term, 'carer'.  This is because we need to be clear about the group of people that we are identifying in order to get the right response.  It is one thing to be talking about a paid worker who has wilfully hurt an older person in the course of their paid employment and another about a domestic violence situation where a carer is abusing an older person.  The situations might be equally serious, but demand different identification mechanisms."