Habikino issues guidance to group home after staff abused dementia residents
In short
The city of Habikino in Osaka Prefecture issued administrative guidance, dated September 24, to the group home Miyabi (みやび) after finding that four care workers abused four residents with dementia over about two years. The acts included squeezing a man's head like a wrestling headlock and making a woman go out in cheerleader and clown-style costumes. The city said a male floor supervisor led the abuse and contacted police; the operator acknowledged the abuse and apologized to residents' families.
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The city of Habikino in Osaka Prefecture has issued administrative guidance to Miyabi (みやび), a group home for elderly people with dementia, after finding that four care workers abused four residents, men and women, over about two years. The written guidance, dated September 24, was issued under the Elder Abuse Prevention Act and called for thorough management of staff, according to the city. Nishi-Nippon Shimbun and Tokyo Shimbun reported that the city announced the guidance on the 9th and believes the abuse had become routine. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
According to the city, a male staff member in charge of the floor led the abuse. With another worker he squeezed the head of a male resident in his 70s with his arm, like a wrestling headlock, and Yomiuri Shimbun reported that he also lifted the man upside down. A woman in her 80s was dressed in cheerleader and clown-style costumes; Yomiuri reported that she was taken out in them and staff laughed at her. Yomiuri also reported that staff touched another woman's breast, pinned down another woman by straddling her neck while helping her in the toilet, pressed a constipated resident's abdomen with a foot, and used verbal abuse. Nippon TV reported that staff kicked residents' wheelchairs and grabbed them near the neck to make them walk. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
Yomiuri reported that an internal report on August 29 said several acts that appeared to be abuse had been seen, and the facility contacted the city on September 3. The city judged the acts malicious and reported them to the Habikino police station on September 8, Yomiuri and Nippon TV reported, while Nishi-Nippon and Tokyo Shimbun said the city is consulting the station. The city judged that the abuse began around 2024 and is considering an audit, Yomiuri reported. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Several staff told the city they had been playing around and joking with residents. In the facility's own survey, one employee said they had warned against the abuse but it did not improve and they were afraid to say more, Yomiuri reported. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
The operator, the social welfare corporation Fukufuku-kai (ふくふく会), said it had apologized to residents and their families. Its chairman, Okuda (奥田圭史), told Yomiuri the acts were unforgivable and that staff education had been insufficient. The facility suspended the male supervisor in September and he later quit; it is considering action on the other three staff. [ 1 , 2 , 6 ]
The four staff cared for nine residents on the third floor of the four-storey facility. According to a health ministry database cited by Yomiuri, the home began operating in August 2003 and as of last December had 24 care workers and 27 residents with an average age of 89. Ministry figures show abuse of elderly people by care workers reached a record 1,220 cases in fiscal 2024, with 2,248 victims; 181 cases were in group homes. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The city judged the acts malicious and took the case to police, and Yomiuri Shimbun reported that it is considering an audit of the facility. Yomiuri also cited health ministry data showing that abuse of elderly people by care workers reached a record 1,220 cases nationwide in fiscal 2024, 181 of them in group homes.
Key facts
- Habikino city issued administrative guidance to the group home Miyabi under the Elder Abuse Prevention Act; the guidance is dated September 24. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Four care workers abused four residents with dementia over about two years, according to the city. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- A male staff member in charge of the floor led the abuse, the city said. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Staff squeezed a man in his 70s by the head like a wrestling headlock and dressed a woman in her 80s in cheerleader and clown-style costumes. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- The abuse came to light through an internal report in August. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The city judged the acts malicious and contacted police. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Staff told the city they had been playing around or joking with residents. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- The operating social welfare corporation acknowledged the abuse and apologized to residents' families. [ 1 , 2 , 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Habikino city issued administrative guidance to the group home Miyabi over abuse of residents with dementia. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- Four care workers were involved in the abuse. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- Four residents were abused. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- The abuse continued over about two years. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- The guidance is dated September 24. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- A male floor supervisor led the abuse, according to the city. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Acts included a headlock-style hold on a man in his 70s and dressing a woman in her 80s in cheerleader and clown-style costumes. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- The city took the case to the Habikino police. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Staff described their actions to the city as playing around with residents. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- The operator apologized to residents' families. [ 1 , 2 , 6 ]
Still unclear
- Whether police will open a criminal investigation. The documents say the city reported or consulted police but give no police response.
- Whether the city formally reported the case to police or consulted them. Yomiuri and Nippon TV say the city reported it to police, while the Kyodo-based reports say the city is consulting the Habikino police station.
- What action will be taken against the other three staff members. Only Yomiuri reports that the facility is considering it; no decision is given.
- Whether the city will audit the facility. Yomiuri reports only that the city is considering an audit.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Yomiuri Shimbun reports that Habikino city issued administrative guidance to the group home over abuse by four care workers. [ 1 ]
- Nippon TV reports the case and the operator's statement that the abuse is "generally correct". [ 2 ]
- Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reports that the city announced the guidance on the 9th and believes the abuse had become routine. [ 3 ]
- Tokyo Shimbun carries the same report. [ 4 ]
- TBS NEWS DIG reports the case and an apology from the operator, Fukufuku-kai. [ 6 ]