| Dear friends, What happened to Freda was unconscionable. The 84-year-old suffered from Alzheimer's, which prompted her move to a care home four years ago. Her daughter, Maddy, wanted to ensure that the staff were properly administering her mother's medicine and helping to care for bedsores, so she set up a secret camera in the room. The footage she captured was appalling. The care workers neglected Freda, allowing bed sores to grow and fester all the way to the bone. Rather than treating them, they removed bandages and wrapped them around Freda's head. They mocked and let her waste away to just 4 stones (56 pounds). As our parents and grandparents age and face challenges in mobility, mental acumen and general health, they become alarmingly likely to victimised. In the UK, nearly half a million people over 65 are abused every year. They are assaulted, neglected, defrauded and sometimes even sexually abused. Very little is done in the way of justice. Ninety-nine percent of crimes against the elderly go unpunished. Older citizens are among the most vulnerable. Targeting them is particularly cruel, and the punishment should fit this severity of abuse and exploitation. That's why we're asking for these crimes to be recognised as an "aggravated offence" on par with hate crimes. Thank you,  | | Emily V.
The Care2 Petitions Team |
| |
