Older people’s human rights neglected, directors of adult social services tell parliamentary inquiry

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services has called for greater attention to be paid to the human rights of older people in social care and health services.

Adass, which makes the comments in a submission to the parliamentary joint committee on human rights, says older people may face excessive delays and defensive attitudes by providers when raising concerns about neglect or discrimination themselves.

It adds that the group may also not feel confident about speaking out for fear of retribution.

“Similarly their families may also be concerned that if they voice their concerns, their relative’s care could suffer,” Adass states.

The submission is part of evidence being gathered by the joint committee for its inquiry into the human rights of older persons in health care.

Adass also highlights that elder abuse does not have the statutory framework that child abuse has meaning local authorities are more limited in the ways they are able to intervene in some potentially abusive situations.

It concludes that councils’ duty to ensure older people are able to retain their dignity should never be compromised by factors such as understaffing or a lack of leadership.

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