MP urges protection for elderly care victims
PENSIONERS need more protection to stop them falling victim to “despicable” corrupt carers, a former minister has demanded.
Norman Lamb, the Lib Dem MP for North Norfolk, has written to Health Secretary Matt Hancock and has submitted an early day motion in Parliament in the hope that it will be debated.
Mr Lamb spoke out following the story in the Sunday Express last week about broadcaster Liz Kershaw, whose mother Eileen had thousands of pounds stolen from her by a carer.
Age UK said 130,000 older people have suffered financial abuse at the hands of carers since turning 65. Mr Lamb told Mr Hancock: “Those at the greatest risk of financial abuse are women aged 80 to 89, living on their own, single or widowed.”
He added: “I would be very grateful if you could tell me what steps the Government is taking to ensure that frail older people are protected from these despicable crimes, and to guarantee this is treated as a priority by the police, courts and local authorities.”
Mr Lamb also urged “substantial penalties for those who breach the trust of elderly people by exploiting them for financial gain” and sufficient resources for police to investigate safeguarding concern allegations.
On Friday, carer Graziella Avetti, 61, was spared jail after she was caught stealing £130 from a dementia patient in her 90s. She stole the cash from her bedside cabinet.
She was caught by a camera the family had hidden in an alarm clock after £20,000 of jewellery went missing days earlier.
Avetti, of Long Eaton, Derbyshire, admitted stealing the money. She got a 12-month community order, 160 hours unpaid work and told to pay £750 costs and an £85 victim surcharge at Nottingham Crown Court.