THIRST, STARVATION AND EXPLOITATION

More than 2,000 people have died of dehydration or malnutrition while in a care home or hospital in the last decade, according to figures published by the Office for National Statistics. 'The figures show the "underlying cause of death" in 2,162 recorded cases since 2003 was dehydration or malnutrition. They do not include the death toll in 2013. Campaigners said the figures were an "utter disgrace". "How can we call ourselves civilised when people are left to starve or die of thirst?  It is an utter disgrace that they are ever left without the most basic care," Dr Alison Cook, a director at the Alzheimer's Society, told the Daily Telegraph.' (Guardian, 2 December) After a life time of exploitation producing profits for the owning class this is the awful fate for many older workers. RD