Over a thousand care home residents have died of dehydration

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• 03 Dec

  Over the past decade it has been revealed that more than 1,000 care home residents have dies of dehydration due to being left without enough water.

  Figures obtained under the freedom of information laws by the Telegraph show that 1,158 care home residents suffered dehydration related deaths between 2003 and 2012. Dehydration was named as either an underlying cause of death or contributory factor. 318 residents were found to have died from starvation or where severely malnourished and 2,815 deaths were linked to bed sores. Figures only represent those who passed away in care homes, not those who passed away whilst in hospital.

  "How can we call ourselves civilised when people are left to starve or die of thirst? ... It is an utter disgrace that they are ever left without the most basic care," said Dr Alison Cook, a director at the Alzheimer's Society.

  Dot Gibson, general secretary of the National Pensioners Convention, said the care system needed an urgent overhaul. It is not good enough for ministers or the care regulator to talk about making improvements by 2015 when, in the meantime, older people are dying from neglect. The public would be outraged if animals were treated in the same way - we need to show the same compassion when it comes to caring for our elderly loved ones," she added.

  Norman Lamb, the care and support minister said the deaths from thirst and starvation were "entirely unacceptable".

  What do you think of this? Tweet us your comments @suppsolutions

  Image source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/759889

  By Laura Matthews

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