ELDERLY PEOPLE IN LIMERICK SHOULD NEVER BE FORCED TO GIVE UP THEIR BELOVED PETS - Cllr Sarah Beasley
Reports that elderly people are being forced to give up their beloved pets, if external HSE home care workers are uncomfortable with animals in the house is an issue that the HSE must look into immediately.
That's according to Aontú Councillor Sarah Beasley, a candidate for Limerick City in the General Election and well know and long standing animal rights advocate who says
“This issue has been highlighted by a branch of SPCA Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and has naturally left vulnerable individuals heartbroken. It is beyond my understanding how anybody could dictate to elderly people or anybody for that matter, that they should give up their animals”.
“Pets are part of the family, especially so for many elderly people who rely on them for companionship and emotional support, particularly those who live alone and face daily isolation. Equally, dogs in particular, are a great source of security for people and this has a very important psychological impact for elderly people who feel secure knowing their dog are there and will alert them to any potential unwelcome visitors “.
“Potentially having to give up their pets would strip elderly individuals of a vital source of comfort and connection and exacerbates loneliness and mental health challenges” .
“It would also undermine their dignity, their autonomy and their basic human rights”.
“We know that loneliness particularly amongst elderly people is growing, and it is absolutely unthinkable and infuriating that they should be forced to give up their pets if external care workers say they are uncomfortable in their presence”.
“I totally believe in the dignity of workers, and the workplace should be safe and conflict free for people but in these instances, the family pets could be put into another room while the care worker is present. We know that care visits don’t last too long so this is an entirely sensible and reasonable solution”.
“The HSE must urgently investigate these practices to ensure elderly people receive care that respects their emotional and psychological needs rather than creating further unnecessary hardship and pain for them”
“If indeed the HSE does find widespread evidence of this, then an investigation should be launched to determine whether this constitutes a breach of civil or human rights. I am absolutely appalled to think of anybody ever being forced to give up their beloved pets.”
