Elderly woman found surrounded by 'unsafe amount of animal faeces'

An elderly Queensland woman's carer has been accused of neglecting and mistreating her so badly and for so long it caused significant injuries that left her hospitalised.

Detectives who charged the woman, 56, with grievous bodily harm and failing to provide the necessities of life to the 77-year-old were confronted by distressing scenes at the property, police say.

The elderly woman was admitted to the Ipswich Hospital's intensive care unit on May 29 and remains in a serious condition.

Police say the accused had been caring for the older woman at a Tarampa property, west of Brisbane, where authorities enforced bio-hazard measures after allegedly uncovering an unsafe amount of animal faeces.

"The scene that investigators and forensic officers were confronted with was distressing to say the least," Detective Inspector David Briese said on Monday.

After she was taken to hospital, medical staff contacted the authorities with concern over the woman’s injuries and an investigation was commenced, police said.

“She has remained largely unresponsive since that time,” a police spokesperson told reporters this afternoon.

“It’s extremely disturbing. It’s extremely sad that a 77-year-old female that was supposed to be cared for was living in this condition,” he said.

“It distressing for police to unearth this sort of lack of care.”

Police are working with the RSPCA after finding horses, geese and chickens at the property and say further charges are possible.

Police said the carer had “cooperated to a certain extent” with the investigation.

The woman will appear in the Ipswich Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

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