Disturbing Report Uncovers Inhumane Treatment of Elderly at Church-Based Home

A damning report by BBC Africa has brought to light the appalling conditions and inhumane treatment faced by elderly residents at the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) Thogoto Care Home for the Aged. The investigative journalists, who posed as employees for two weeks, revealed harrowing details of abuse and neglect experienced by the elderly residents at the facility, exposing the dire state of elderly care in the country.

According to the undercover investigation, the elderly at the PCEA Thogoto Care Home were subjected to physical abuse, with staff often resorting to beatings when the elderly disobeyed orders. Some staff members admitted to caning the elderly to "calm them down," claiming that some of the residents became violent when left unattended.

Disturbingly, some of the victims were left to starve as staff members allegedly dumped food on the table for those unable to feed themselves. The caregivers' negligence and lack of concern reportedly led to some residents going days without food, with tragic consequences. Shockingly, some of the victims even succumbed to starvation, as staff members allegedly refused to feed them.

Medical care for the elderly residents was also severely lacking, with some being denied vital medical attention for months due to negligence and a lack of funding. The report highlighted an elderly man with a severe skin problem who pleaded for help, but his cries fell on deaf ears as the staff ignored his suffering.

The investigation further revealed a troubling pattern of mistreatment, with new staff members eventually adopting the abusive practices as the norm within the facility.

In addition to the heartrending revelations of abuse, the report exposed corruption within the facility, with senior staff members allegedly stealing a significant portion of the food donated to the home, further exacerbating the dire conditions faced by the elderly residents.

The shocking findings have shed light on the urgent need to address the state of elderly facilities in the country and ensure the safety and well-being of elderly citizens. With the elderly population accounting for a small percentage of the total population, it is essential to protect and care for this vulnerable demographic and prevent further instances of neglect and abuse.