Website of the Department of Health

The Government's response to the recommendations and conclusions of The Health Select Committee's Inquiry into Elder Abuse

Subjects covered in this response include: the definition of elder abuse, the need for research into the prevalence of abuse and measures which might be taken to prevent it. Also considers the questions of physical abuse including the inappropriate use of medication; physical restraint in care settings and financial abuse. Recommends that standards for adult protection should be incorporated into the National Service Framework (NSF). In addition considers the particular needs of ethnic minority communities, the regulation of domiciliary and other social care workers and the certification of death in care homes and the domiciliary environment.