Retirement housing firm apology over ‘dribbling geriatrics’ comment
A retirement housing firm was forced to apologise yesterday after its spokesman described elderly people as “dribbling geriatrics” on live television. Ian Rapley, of Consensus Business Group which manages retirement complexes, appeared on BBC Breakfast to rebut claims by residents that their service charges were being increased with little justification or consultation.
Challenged over his firm’s alleged exploitation of “vulnerable elderly people”, he said that the group making the claims were “serial complainers” rather than “dribbling geriatrics”.
Concensus owns retirement home managers including Peverel and Fairhold, with some 57,000 elderly people among its clients, and his comment was fiercely criticised. Some critics called for Mr Rapley to be sacked on the spot.
BBC Breakfast was inundated with complaints by angry viewers. The BBC’s complaint service also had calls about Mr Rapley’s comments. Consensus Business Group was flooded with calls as furious pensioners sought to make their displeasure known.
The BBC had invited Mr Rapley to address concerns from pressure group Campaign Against Retirement Leasehold EXploitation (CARLEX), which has attracted 18,000 hits since it set up a website challenging the charges levied by companies like Peverel for sheltered accommodation services including wardens, insurance, alarm systems and telecomms.
One of the programme’s presenters told him: “We are talking about elderly people who feel vulnerable, in some cases who might not want to complain.”
He replied of the CARLEX group: “It’s very easy to use emotive language. These are not dribbling geriatrics, they are people in their later years, they are very very aware of what they are doing.”
A spokesman for the firm apologised unreservedly for Mr Rapley’s comments, and said it would launch a review of its service and charges to be completed by February 2010.
“We would also like to state that the points made by the programme have been listened to fully,” a spokesman said. “We are conducting a comprehensive review of the issues raised, in conjunction with our trade associations. We continue to welcome all constructive contributions.”
A source close to Mr Rapley added: “He regrets it and everyone who has anything to do with the company regrets it. It was not our finest hour.”
Campaign Against Retirement Leasehold EXploitation (CARLEX)
Consensus Business Group
