skip to content | skip to menu | graphical site (you are currently reading the text only, no javascript version)
23 June 2008
STOP ELDERLY ABUSE (An article from the local K&C News)
SIR Malcolm Rifkind has called for action against abuse of the elderly.
The MP for Kensington and Chelsea joined around 150 pensioners at a vibrant meeting of the Kensington and Chelsea Forum for Older Residents at the Town Hall in Hornton Street, last Wednesday afternoon.
During an impassioned speech made just days before the worldwide Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2008, Sir Malcolm called for:
He said: “Abuse is an issue which has been relatively neglected by the wider community over the years. Help the Aged estimates half of elderly people may have experienced abuse. It is a terrible number.
“We have a much higher proportion of elderly people in Kensington and Chelsea than in the rest of the country. And the elderly are not patients, they are citizens”.
The problem was put into perspective by the policy manager at action on elder abuse, Daniel Blake. He told the meeting that while working at a hospital, he saw an elderly woman who had been admitted from a nursing home. She had a severe pressure wound on her foot, which later had to be amputated.
Actors from the Adad theatre group also took to the stage, highlighting the plight of a ukulele-playing pensioner whose life is torn apart by an abusive nurse who destroys her self-respect.
After the play, forum members were treated to a spread of sandwiches and wine, provided by Waitrose.
It was clear that the topic had hit home for many who attended.
Roohy Shanin of the Persian Care Centre in Thorpe Close, North Kensington, said: “The forum was extremely helpful.”
The care centre will made a film highlighting elderly abuse.
No excuse· Abuse can take many forms including physical, emotional, financial, institutional or neglectful mistreatment.
· It can be deliberate, the result of ignorance, or because of a lack of training, knowledge or understanding.
· Help is at hand. If you are concerned about someone who lives in Kensington and Chelsea call the Royal Borough contact centre on 020 7361 3013 from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.
In an emergency call the duty team on 020 7373 2227 or the police on 999.
Home | Sir Malcolm | Kensington | Local News | Articles | Links | Contact
Except for national news and the maps, all text and photographs on this site are released under a Creative Commons Licence.
Malcolm Rifkind MP is responsible for this site, which is funded from the Incidental Expenses Provision of the House of Commons.
site by politicos design: campaigning online with political & mp websites (opens in a new window).