The family of an elderly woman bashed by a carer at a not-for-profit aged care facility has called for better screening processes for aged care workers.
Michael Mullen was on Wednesday found guilty of the aggravated assault of the 72-year-old Elizabeth Hannaford in November, 2015.
Hannaford died several months after the incident, which took place at Southern Cross Care’s Lourdes Valley residential care centre at Myrtle Bank.
Hannaford’s ex-husband and carer, David Binns, said outside court: “I think that the aged care management need to be more careful about the selecting of carers; perhaps carers need to be more trained about dementia.”
Magistrate Paul Foley said Mullen became angry after Hannaford repeatedly pulled out the cords to sensor mats around her bed before punching her more than once.
He accepted the evidence of Hannaford’s roommate, Meg Rogers, who said she heard Mullen punching Hannaford in the face. He said medical evidence also excluded the possibility that she had rolled out of bed.
Mullen was remanded on continuing bail to face court again in April.
Third Sector acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.