Age Action, Ireland’s leading advocacy organisation for older people, has described some of the practices uncovered by the HIQA report published today on Raheny Community Nursing unit as forms of ‘elder abuse’.
Justin Moran, Head of Advocacy and Communications with Age Action, said: “Physically restraining an older person in a residential care facility should only ever be an emergency measure.
“It is scandalous that it appears to have been occurring here without any proper monitoring or reporting.”
The HIQA report also found that residents were being forced to eat their breakfast before staff would change soiled incontinence wear.
Justin Moran continued: “These practices are forms of elder abuse. They should not be happening anywhere but especially in a facility designed to provide care for older people.
“It’s important that HIQA inspects this facility again soon to ensure that the actions required by this report are carried out.”
