Children and older people are more likely than others to be abused in some way. The more vulnerable a person, the more protection they require. Yet the State and its agencies have failed to establish the necessary standards of care, along with regulatory and inspection regimes, that are needed to protect these groups and to vindicate their rights. Mistreatment of children in crèches and preschools is a symptom of a wider malaise affecting the elderly in their homes and elsewhere.
Following a succession of scandals, nursing homes are now required to provide quality care within a legal framework. But no inspection regime exists for State-funded, home help services and such necessary structures may not be put in place until 2016. Since last year, non-HSE providers of home help are only expected to meet certain standards when financial contracts are signed. The unknown number of homecare agencies providing private services are not required to register with the HSE.
Irish society has been reluctant to recognise and to confront the reality of elderly abuse. That may be because, in the past, the bulk of offenders were found to be the sons and daughters of the victims or, often, a spouse or a close relation. Psychological and emotional bullying, along with theft, coercion and fraud were the most frequent forms of mistreatment. In a closed, repressive society, what happened within a family was expected to remain there. Welfare and law enforcement officers were warned off. That legacy is slowly eroding but determined political and administrative action is urgently required.
The absence of home help statutory controls and an effective inspection regime should not be tolerated. Older people wish to remain in their communities as long as possible. They should be encouraged to do so because of it offers an improved quality of life. Home help costs a fraction of acute hospital care and the outcome benefits all concerned. The State has, however, an obligation to ensure the quality and the safety of the service.