Retirement homes in hot water
A list of recently uncovered Athens nursing homes that offer residents horrendous living conditions grew longer over the weekend, as authorities located four more offenders and are expected to pass their files on to a prosecutor today. The news comes after inspection teams last week located a number of retirement homes that housed residents in unfit conditions including cockroach-infested rooms and filthy sleeping quarters. Athens Prefecture officials said yesterday that four of the five nursing homes checked last Friday and Saturday were found to be in breach of health and food regulations. The four establishments were also operating without the proper licenses despite being fined in the past for similar offenses and ordered to shut down. In a further blow to the reputation of the industry, the four businesses were also found to employ foreigners without any form of social insurance. Athens Prefect Yiannis Sgouros called upon the Health Ministry yesterday to change the law that allows the homes to take advantage of their elderly residents.
