Showing elderly woman on commode on reality show - awful

[Trigglesx]

The "We pay your benefits" programme is on, showing a woman that works as a carer. She's lifting this elderly woman (stroke victim) off a commode, identifying her by her first name, woman is fully on camera, so identifiable. Then carer is saying "oh wait, you're still weeing, name, let's sit you back down." and then "let's wipe you up." All on camera.

Where's the dignity for this poor elderly woman?

I work as a carer and do not think that is appropriate at all. I perform many different duties throughout my shift, so any one of them could have been filmed. Not toileting someone on a commode.

Yes be in happy about it making you feel uncomfortable but don't presume the lady involved or her family did feel up comfortable. Far more revealing things have been shown on tv before and it is patronising to presume she was not that alert how I gathered that from the tiny snipers of conversation shown i dont know

blackholes if Liam is working as a carer, that's a wonderful result. As irritating as he was the £3000 JSA he was receiving isn't a problem, it's the waste of young lives not working and feeling that any job is beneath them.

Thank you for this thread. I haven't watched the programme yet and now don't think I will, or will fast forward through that bit. I get very upset when my Mum has to be hoisted onto the toilet, bed, chair etc, and have to go outside her room. She is in a brilliant nursing home as I could no longer care for her. She is treated with dignity and kindness. Carers do a wonderful job and certainly are not paid enough.

You can bet your bottom dollar the whole process was kosher. And it's a tad patronising to suggest she had not consented

You have a touching faith in the professionalism and ethics of programme makers ohmygerd.

The BBC commissions independent TV companies. To fulfill their contract and get more they have to make eye-catching TV. That is their main focus. Not the feelings of anyone taking part.

Most of their staff will be inexperienced and poorly-paid, or perhaps not even paid at all. TV is a very attractive career and if you won't do something, there are plenty of other interns ready to take your place.

Some of the most assertive people weaken in the face of a bossy girl with a clipboard waving a vaguely-worded release form and demanding a quick signature so she can get on with the important process of making a cheap and cliched reality TV show.

An elderly stroke patient used to being grateful to the various people who've helped her, including the person who's uncomplainingly wiping her bum, would be a pushover. No matter how nice her hair was.

YANBU OP. Let's hope they forgot to get that woman to sign a release and she complains. It has been known.

I watched this, and on the whole, agree with you. However, I also work in employability, and know that the job centre has a big push on getting the long term unemployed into care work. I think this episode really spelt out exactly what the reality of being a carer is and perhaps why it really is a vocation rather than a job, and why the job centre, for me, are not being terribly realistic.

I wonder how many days Liam has managed now, they skimmed over that in their end notes didn't they.

Perfect post limited.

To the carers on here, seen a couple, you are absolutely right that caring work needs to be better valued. What do you think the answer is?

I was equally disgusted by this. Even with consent to filming, I doubt it would have involved the actual words, 'on the commode.'

I have worked in all types of care and dignity and respect is paramount at all times. I feel even from her husband it would have been nice to use the bathroom privately. If safe to do so, I used to leave the room when someone was using the toilet. A bloody camera crew, a smug, degree wielding, work experience and the entire nation watching? Utterly disgusted and on her part!!!

Christ almighty this nonsense about being 'patronising'. It's patronising to put oneself in someone elses' position and think, I wouldn't like that, is it? It's just concern.

I have now watched the programme and am so disgusted at how they portrayed the lady that I have complained to the BBC. I am now looking for the care company to see if they have a web site and ask how on earth they could consent to this. And how could the carer consent to this as they are told to make sure a person's dignity is retained at all times.

Keep complaining to BBC website if not happy with this.
I think Liam was a very caring person actually just lacking in confidence and would actually make a very good carer. A caring personality and intelligence should be qualities of a carer. Thought Stevie was absolutely brilliant. Loved the way she encouraged Liam. You could tell her job really was her vocation.

Agree with limitedperiodonly. Very sad.