Reports of elder abuse at 40 private residences as well as 30 geriatric homes.
The Social Development Ministry has been probing reports of such abuse at these private residences as well as at the 30 homes for the aged in the last year, says Social Development Minister Cherrie Ann Crichlow-Cockburn.
Crichlow-Cockburn revealed this in Parliament replying to Opposition queries. These arose following a parliamentary committee meeting on Wednesday where Social Development and Health Ministry officials detailed about reports of elder abuse at geriatric homes. Committee members, who grilled officials—and “roasted” their responses on some aspects—ordered both Ministries to deepen collaboration to better deal with the problem of elder abuse. The committee also lamented a cultural shift of people “shuffling off” elderly relatives to geriatric homes.
Crichlow-Cockburn said her ministry’s Inspectorate Division on ageing probes reports of elder abuse at private residences and homes for the aged—whether physical, psychological or financial abuse—and action is taken to remove that abuse. This is often done in collaboration with the police and Health Ministry.
“In the last 12 months we’d have investigated reports of abuse at 30 geriatric homes and 40 private residences and we’d have taken action to remove some people and other matters would have been reported to the police. As it stands the ministry has no authority to take action against these homes,” she said.
Crichlow-Cockburn said the ministry is working toward getting legislation governing geriatric homes proclaimed. This will call for licensing, registration and control of such homes. The target date for proclamation is June 2019.
The minister said the Older Persons’ Information Centre, which dispenses information to seniors, is available to receive reports of elder abuse.