Discounting older disabled people in care homes
Author : mitsue-stanley | Published Date : 2025-08-04
Description: Discounting older disabled people in care homes during the COVID19 pandemic The English governments breaches of care equality and human rights laws Dr Sue Westwood Discounting older disabled people in care homes during the COVID19
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Transcript:Discounting older disabled people in care homes:
Discounting older disabled people in care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic: The English government’s breaches of care, equality and human rights laws. Dr Sue Westwood Discounting older disabled people in care homes during the COVID-19 Many acts of commission/omission occurred in relation to care homes during initial months of the pandemic in 2020-1. It has been alleged – and sadly seems very likely – that these state-supported acts led to many unnecessary deaths among older people, particularly those living in long-term care facilities (LTCs) which are called ‘care homes’/nursing homes in UK. This article explores this in an English context, considering, in particular, key human rights and equality implications. Structure Outline of ageing/care context Outline of regulatory context Overview of main acts of commission/omission Consideration of regulatory implications Ageing/ care context Ageing/care context With an ageing population, more of us are living into older age, and that older age is becoming extended, i.e. more living into ‘very old’ age. Extended duration of life not matched by extended quality of life, especially in ‘very old’ age, depicted by complex multi-morbidities and cognitive and/or physical disabilities. Many of the ‘very old’ need regular and ongoing assistance with ‘activities of daily living’ (washing, dressing, toileting, eating, drinking, etc). Women are more likely than men to be among the ‘very old’, primarily because they live longer. Women are therefore also disproportionately affected by age-related dementia. Many older people spend their final years in LTCs (more women than men) Pre-COVID concerns about quality of life/human rights in care homes. Regulatory context Regulatory context National Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 Mental Capacity Act 2005 Care Act 2014 Human Rights Act 1998 (European Convention on Human Rights) Equality Act 2010 International European Convention on Human Rights Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) United Nations Principles for Older Persons Regulations (1) Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 Core standards re. person-centred care & ‘dignity & respect’. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates all health and social care services in England, ensuring compliance with Regulations & reporting on state of care in England. CQC inspections review care home procedures, practices & cultures, with powers to require changes to/close care homes. Mental Capacity Act 2005 Rights of
