An aged care worker has been charged after allegedly assaulting an elderly man at a facility on Sydney’s northern beaches.
It is alleged Hornsby man Prakash Paudyal pulled at the 82-year-old man’s shirt, and used a shoe to hit him repeatedly at Bupa Aged Care Seaforth.
Police have released footage of the alleged incident.
It is believed the family set up a camera in the elderly man’s room after he told them he had been mistreated.
While it is illegal to set up a camera in an aged care facility, police say the alleged abuse outweighs any wrongdoing.
The 35-year-old male employee was yesterday charged with two counts of common assault (domestic violence), and using an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence.
Police allege Mr Paudyal, who has now been dismissed by Bupa, entered the elderly patient’s room on multiple occasions between August 26 and August 29.
He was granted conditional bail and is expected to appear at Manly Local Court on September 11.
Elderly abuse ‘underreported’
Guy Magee, the Detective Acting Inspector of the Northern Beaches Police Area Command, said elder abuse was “cowardly” and “disgraceful”.
“Elder abuse is a fairly underreported crime in NSW,” he said.
“Our research tells us that upwards of 50,000 elderly people have suffered abuse in their lives.
“[We] encourage more victims and families to come forward.
“We’re fully investigating every complaint against that male and if there is evidence of further abuse, he will be prosecuted for that.”
Elder abuse can take various forms such as physical, psychological, emotional, or financial abuse, Superintendent David Darcy from Northern Beaches Police Area Command said.
“These vulnerable people need the communities help to be their voice.”
Bupa issued a statement expressing shock at the incident.
“Bupa takes the safety and wellbeing of its residents seriously and we are shocked and saddened by what has occurred at our Seaforth care home,” it said.
“The employee in question has been dismissed, and we are cooperating fully with NSW Police.
source:www.abc.net.au
