Portugal’s Social Security Institute (ISS) on Tuesday closed an illegal care home in Olhão where 22 elderly people were living in unhealthy conditions, following reports that the facility was operating unlawfully, and allegations of mistreatment, the authority said today.
The facility, located in the city of Olhão, was home to 13 men and nine women, most aged between 80 and 89. It was “closed urgently and with immediate effect”, the ISS reported.
The operation followed a report by Social Security to the Public Prosecutor’s Office after complaints were received about the facility’s illegal operation and alleged mistreatment of residents.
Inspectors found “serious problems with living conditions”, including a lack of ventilation, inadequate food and hydration, poor hygiene, and insufficient basic healthcare, as well as staff shortages and premises deemed unsuitable for the residents’ level of dependency, the institute said.
“Given the risks identified, the ISS inspection team closed the illegal facility urgently and with immediate effect and removed all the elderly residents,” it said.
During the operation, the social action team from the Faro District Social Security Centre contacted the residents’ families and identified available places for those who could not return to live with relatives.
Of the 22 residents, 14 were transferred to institutions within the social and charitable care sector, while one was taken to a hospital facility.
The closure operation was coordinated between Social Security and the Public Health Authority, with assistance from the Portuguese National Republican Guard (GNR).
Source: LUSA
Photo credit: Paulo Novais
