Warning: This article contains distressing content.
A family is demanding answers after an elderly dementia patient was brutally attacked at an aged care home in Sydney’s south-west.
Much-loved husband and grandfather John, 87, was bashed by another resident on Wednesday night, causing serious head injuries with the extent too distressing to show.
Family in Shock
“Absolutely horrific. We’re all in a lot of shock. I’ve never seen anything like this before. I’ve never seen anybody this beat up,” daughter Margaret told radio station 2GB.
The elderly dementia patient was found around 9pm on Wednesday on a verandah of the HammondCare centre in Hammondville with extensive injuries.
“This was not a minor altercation,” his daughter said. “This was not a push or a scuffle.”
Investigation Underway
HammondCare says an investigation is now underway into how John was assaulted without anyone seeing or hearing it.
“We had over adequate amount of staffing on that night but they were attending to their normal duties,” HammondCare Executive General Manager Jenny Summerton said.
While police have spent most of the day at Hammondville investigating the assault, they say criminal charges may not be the outcome. They are also looking at whether more mental health support is needed for both residents.
“Obviously it is a terrible allegation and there are terrible injuries to the man involved. We don’t want to see any elderly person suffer injuries,” NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said.
John remains in Liverpool Hospital facing a long recovery.
