More elderly patients suffering abuse amid COVID-19 pandemic

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By Kim Se-jeong

A private elderly care center in South Gyeongsang Province became the subject of an investigation after keeping one patient tied to a bed for days.

According to the Kyoungnam Elderly Protection Agency which conducted the investigation, the man in his 70s spent most of his time restrained by his wrists and attached to the bed. Despite guidelines that ban confinement for more than two hours at a time, he was only untied for meals and had a diaper on at all times.

The troubled care center claimed the measures were needed to keep the patient, who had a skin disease, from rubbing his skin but the protection agency concluded the man was the victim of physical abuse.

The same institute is also accused of taking COVID-19 relief funds from its patients without their consent. "For example, 400,000 won was taken and spent on buying 30 enemas. I don't see how one patient can need 30 enemas," an official from the protection agency said.

In addition, the police found the center transferred 18 million won from one patient's savings account to one employee.

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It is just one example of the growing number of elderly abuse cases.

The elderly protection agency said abuse cases are rapidly rising during the COVID-19 pandemic for senior citizens at care centers as well as those who live with family.

According to statistics provided by North Jeolla Elderly Protection Agency, the number of abuse counseling sessions for the elderly from January and October this year was 2,561, up from 1,711 during the same period last year. The protection agency opened in 2006 with the purpose of investigating abuse against the elderly.

Across Korea, this year's abuse cases reported between January and August was 36.6 percent higher than last year.

An employee from the agency said the number could be much higher, "because when we really talk to the victims, they refuse to talk honestly about what happened."

Experts said the elderly are among the most vulnerable in general but that some are being neglected by families and caregivers who are also experiencing high levels of stress amid the pandemic.

"As the social distancing period is prolonged, people get more frustrated financially and emotionally and look for people to take their anger out at. And the elderly often become the victims," said a worker at the elderly counseling center in Seoul.

"Old people are more likely to be exposed to violence and abuse by family members and caregivers nowadays," said Kwon Keum-joo, a professor at Seoul Cyber University. "What makes the situation more difficult now is that these facilities are closed and not opening up for investigation or monitoring, unless the situation is really bad."

As to preventing abuse, Kwon stressed the importance of the elderly protection agency.

"Previously, the protection agency focused on handling abuse cases that had already occurred. Now, the focus should be shifted to preventing them."

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