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Older People
HSE to investigate home care services available to the elderly
An investigation into the home care of older people has unearthed appalling standards of treatment.
A REVIEW OF home care services offered to older people will be conducted by the HSE after a four-month undercover investigation by journalists unearthed appallingly poor standards of care.
A number of home care providers were implicated in the investigation, which was carried out by RTÉ’s Prime Time Investigates. Following the revelations, the HSE will now review how 65,000 older people are cared for across the state.
Home care is now big business in Ireland: a 15-fold increase in providers over the last decade has created an industry worth approximately €500,000, according to RTÉ.
The investigation found that some companies were hiring workers with no training, no garda vetting and no checking of references. Distressing incidents, such as older people being force-fed, also came to light during the investigation.
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