Worker charged over alleged assaults on elderly man at NSW care home

Police allege the abuse took place at a Bupa aged care home at Seaforth on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. The 35-year-old worker was caught on a surveillance camera allegedly assaulting the distressed resident including hitting him with a shoe and dragging him while trying to remove his shirt.

The worker was later arrested at Wheeler Heights.

Police have described the incident as “disgraceful”.

Superintendent David Darcy said “These vulnerable people need the community’s help to be their voice”

The man was charged with two counts of common assault (domestic violence), and one count of using an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence.

Granted conditional bail, the man will appear in Manly Local Court on September 11.

In a statement Bupa said it  was “shocked and saddened” by the allegations.

“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. 

“The employee in question has been dismissed, and we are cooperating fully with NSW Police.

“Bupa is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for our residents.

“Our focus at this time is on supporting Bupa Seaforth residents, their families and staff.”

The statement said as it was a police matter Bupa couldn’t provide further comment.

Aged and Community Services Australia, which represents not-for-profit residential facilities, expressed its “shock and horror” at the incident.

“The footage shown this morning shows a shocking, criminal act for which our industry has zero tolerance,” said chief executive Pat Sparrow.

“Elder Abuse is a scourge on our society that has devastating consequences for older people. It can come in many forms – physical, financial, psychological, and others – and we continue to work with government and others on strategies to combat it once-and-for-all.”