Ex-caregiver at home for elderly facing abuse charge

A woman who worked as a caregiver at a home for the elderly in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, is facing charges of abuse after it came to light that she repeatedly slapped an 88-year-old woman resident and used abusive language toward her.

The 55-year-old caregiver, who has since been fired from the Yokkaichi Kaihoen, abused the bedridden woman several times during the night shift between the end of July and the beginning of September, Fuji TV reported.

According to police, the woman's son noticed bruises on his mother's hands and face and secretly installed a video camera. After seeing video footage of abuse on 15 occasions, the son reported the abuse to the home and filed a complaint with the police.

The video footage shows the caregiver slapping the woman with both hands, smothering her with a pillow and yelling at her to hurry up and die.

The caregiver, who was fired on Sept 17, was quoted by the head of the home as saying she was stressed out from looking after so many residents. The home has about 100 residents but at night, there are only four or five staff on duty.

Police are investigating to see if any other elderly residents were abused by the former caregiver.

© Japan Today