Age Action condemns abuse at Áras Attracta

Age Action has said the mistreatment and abuse that took place at Áras Attracta in Co Mayo highlights major major structural failures in the systems designed to protect vulnerable people.

"Age Action condemns the inhuman, degrading and abusive treatment highlighted in tonight's Prime Time Investigates programme,"said Age Action head of advocacy and communications Eamon Timmins.

“We demand answers as to how it could happen at a residential home without being detected and tackled by the support structures in place.

“Without answers, how can similar cases of seriously sub-standard care be prevented elsewhere across the social care sector?” he asked.

Physically restrained

The charity for older people noted that the incidents of residents being force-fed, kicked, slapped, physically restrained and shouted at, only came to light as a result of Prime Time undercover investigation at the home.

“Why was this not detected by the HSE’s management and by the Hiqa inspectors who visited the home? Mr Timmins asked.

“Why did those working at the home not raise the alarm if they saw abusive treatment occurring?”

Age Action has called for the forthcoming Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Bill to include sections on the deprivation of liberty and how it should be dealt with, while protecting older people’s rights to be treated with dignity and respect.

It also called for a public guardian to ensure human rights for those who lack mental capacity.