In an incident at an old-age home an 89-year-old woman died at the hands of an 86-year-old male resident suffering from dementia.
Joan Hobbs, who had been at the nursing home facility in Kirrawee, Sydney, Australia for just eight weeks, died on July 20 after the male patient entered her room and attacked her with his walker on July 15.
Hobbs’ daughter, Erin Mulholland, had enrolled her mother into the care facility after doctors advised that her condition required constant supervision following six years of care at home.
The extent of Hobb’s injuries left her family with no option but to watch over her until her passing, as there was no possibility of saving her.
The women told the local news station that their mother had suffered “devastating” injuries including facial bruising and broken bones. The daughters expressed concern over the lack of adequate staff supervision at the facility.
The sisters hold the authorities responsible for what they perceive as a systemic failure. They call for urgent investigations into the matter and demand better staffing levels in such care facilities.
The family has decided not to press charges against the male resident’s family. Instead, they hope that their story will prompt the government and relevant authorities to make necessary changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The facility reported the incident to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Additionally, a police investigation is underway to prepare a report for the coroner, shedding light on the details surrounding the incident.
