State criticised over poor level of support for elderly living at home

Elderly people living at home are not receiving the level of support nurses say they need and this amounts to “elder abuse” by the State.

The claim was made at the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) annual delegate conference by Dundalk-based public health nurse Anita Roddy.

Ms Roddy, who assesses home care needs, said that while she might determine that a person needs a visit from a carer twice a day to assist with going to the toilet, or to change incontinence pads to avoid pressure sores, the HSE could overrule that recommendation.