Close to home: An inquiry into older people and human rights in home care

This report from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) exposes a number of concerns around the care of older people at home. It found examples of where older people:

• were not being given adequate support to eat and drink (in particular those with dementia)
• experienced neglect due to tasks in the care package not being carried out
• were exposed to financial abuse
• suffered a disregard for their privacy and dignity
• had little attention paid to their choices about how care was delivered, and
• experienced social isolation and loneliness

The EHRC suggested that such incidents amount to human right breaches and could be avoided. It makes a series of recommendations around proper protection, better information and more effective monitoring to overcome the barriers many older people face in the way home care is delivered. To view, go to: www.equalityhumanrights.com/homecareinquiry (opens new window)