25.11.2014
Over half of those who used the helpline said they had nobody else to talk to and some called to discuss neglect and abuse in their homes or residential care homes.
The helpline, which offers information, friendship and advice, revealed its first caller said she and other residents in a care home had been left without food and the heating had been turned off.
Operators are also trained in linking callers with local groups and services to help protect and support pensioners who are suffering abuse or neglect at home.
Andrea Sutcliffe, chief inspector of adult social care at the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said: "We believe that working together, we will be able to improve the standards of care for older people that may be falling short of the quality they need and deserve. It is also an opportunity to recognise examples of excellence and to highlight best practice to share with others."
Many Elderly Callers Complained Of Abuse And Neglect
The Silver Line helpline received almost 300,000 calls from elderly people in its first year of existence, with many of the callers admitting to feeling isolated and lonely.Over half of those who used the helpline said they had nobody else to talk to and some called to discuss neglect and abuse in their homes or residential care homes.
The helpline, which offers information, friendship and advice, revealed its first caller said she and other residents in a care home had been left without food and the heating had been turned off.
Operators are also trained in linking callers with local groups and services to help protect and support pensioners who are suffering abuse or neglect at home.
Andrea Sutcliffe, chief inspector of adult social care at the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said: "We believe that working together, we will be able to improve the standards of care for older people that may be falling short of the quality they need and deserve. It is also an opportunity to recognise examples of excellence and to highlight best practice to share with others."
Expert Opinion
"The details revealed by The Silver Line highlight the levels of neglect, abuse and lack of respect suffered by elderly people in some care homes around England. In our work we have seen the devastating impact this can have on the victims themselves, as well as their family and friends. This situation cannot and should not endure and it is therefore vital that more is done to protect these vulnerable members of our society. <br/> <br/>"We welcome the CQCs approach to working with care homes and care providers to improve the services and residential care available to elderly people, however, we have concern about the CQCs ability to tackle such extensive and widespread problems in the care home industry. <br/> <br/>"The top priority is to establish a culture of respect in the care home industry, with recruitment and proper training of staff who are caring, to ensure that standards of care are high and elderly people do not feel isolated, lonely or afraid."
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