Disgusted at the care given to my Nan

[LittlePrawn1]

My nan is currently in a home for respite, she's there for 2 weeks. Will be her second week Monday.

She is very poorly (cancer) so I've been visiting every night (We are not sure how long she may have left), carers seemed lovely. At the moment she is quite confused, and sleeping a lot of the time, also refusing food.

Have visited the home this afternoon, she woke just as I was about to leave a carer came to help give her a drink, as she woke up I decided to stay a bit longer, she said to the carer she needed the loo, carer said she needed to give another resident a drink then will be with Nan.

A couple of mins went by and I asked nan if she would like me to take her to the loo, she said no but there was no commode in there anyway.

15 mins later nan rang the buzzer again, two carers came and lifted nan underneath her arms and put her on the commode, repeatedly telling her to move back more. Then left and said ring buzzer once finished. I noticed if I wasn't there, and nan was left alone the buzzer was nowhere near close enough for her to ring!

While sat on the commode I noticed a red bloody mark on her leg, I asked her what happened and she said they (carers) knocked it getting her in/out of bed. I've heard horror stories about homes but also know the elderly can mark easily but I still wasn't happy.

They came back, stood nan up, and pulled her knickers up, I said to nan did you do anything on there? She said yes a wee. I told the carers she needs wiping then... they looked right through me, didn't say a word and put her back into bed! Do care homes really do this now? Not wipe for a wee?

I noticed when Nan lifted her blanket I could smell something too. As I was leaving Nan could tell I wasn't happy and repeatedly said "don't worry I'm fine I'm ok"

I've left fuming and feeling upset that my poor nan is left there!

I'm a RMN working in complex dementia care.
What you saw is absolutely appalling care.
Underarm lifts are as others have said now illegal and a form of abuse. Your nan should have her own moving and handling care plan which stipulates what equipment should be used when supporting her.
You should always wipe someone even if they have a continence pad on. Urine left on the skin can cause burns and rashes and is very uncomfortable. Despite that in terms of pure dignity everyone is entitled to being cleansed after utilising a commode.
Regarding the bruising unfortunately as you say older people, particularly when unwell do tend to bruise and mark very easily however any mark should be badly mapped and accounted for so if you enquiried about it you could be fully informed.
Please highlight this care to the manager and escalate it further if needbe it is not acceptable.

Body mapped even *

Did you even ask about the bruise on her leg? Are you her next of kin

OP I really think you need to talk to the manager yourself, not tell your great-gran's children about what you saw. You are feeling the outrage, and you are the one with the mental image of what you saw. For the management, it is so much more powerful to hear this sort of thing first hand, not as: "My grand daughter said she saw this happen."

You have the best chance of keeping this from being brushed under the carpet if you address it yourself.

You absolutely have to speak to the manager yourself rather than ask a relative to do so.

Those career who say it still happens; you must report it.

Those carers....not career

Can I just ask a (probably silly) question - when you say underarm lift do you mean completely lifting someone out of the chair and onto a commode, or supporting someone to stand with a hand under the armpit? I'm worried I've been seeing something wrong now.

You shouldn't even support someone under their arm to stand.

Call the adult social services team. Today. Report it as a safeguarding alert. They will inform CQC but perhaps contact them as well.

No one should have to compromise their dignity and safety by living in a care home. Social services will take you serious but don't wait. All the time you are talking about it there are still residents being treated like this.

In answer to the question, underarm lifts should not be used in any instance, even to assist someone to stand, as others have stated this is classed as abuse now. Salsmum I have worked in dementia specific care for over 10 years and understand about capacity and residents being afraid of hoisting this however does not ex use using and abusive technique to move them, as to a home not having correct moving and handling equipment this is a failing on their point and should not be used to excuse incorrect procedure, if cqc came and did a inspection and saw the underarm lift being performed they would not take it lightly.
Those saying that accidents happen and elderly skin is fragile yes theydo and yes it is but it should have been dressed and reported, also applying barrier cream to an unclean genital area that has urine on it would do more harm than good as it would trap the urine on the skin.
Again I would report and if they won't investigate I would take it to CQC who will

We had a similar experience with my Gran, but the reason they didn't wipe was that she was embarrassed for someone to do that, especially with someone watching. I would probably have stepped out if I was you, just to respect your nans modesty

What is wrong with under arm lifts? My parents are becoming elderly. If they fall and I need to help them up, I know about using a chair etc but what is wrong with under arm lift?

If they did that whilst you were present, goodness knows what goes on when relatives are not there. I'd take her out of there asap and report them to all and sundry.

salsmum sorry that's BS. It was part of your job to raise that shoddy, lazy behaviour as a safety concern. I have worked in two homes and had to whistleblow when colleagues couldn't be arsed to use hoists or wash residents properly because they had "no time". If you can't do the job properly you shouldn't be in it at all. Yep the pay sucks but you know that when you go for the job. These people are human beings and deserve proper treatment. No excuses.

An underarm lift could cause a dislocated shoulder. As people get older and their bones and joints become weaker it's easier to injure them.

Thank you niffler. That's good to be aware of.

You need to speak with whoever is your Nans local authority and speak to her named Social Worker. If there is no named Social Worker ask to speak with duty. Report this ASAP as elder abuse often is passed off. I would note your concerns with the time and date and Google and print a black body map and add your Nans injuries to it. The care home should have done this too but don't prompt them. Contact the Care Quality Commission also. Your Man should never be marked by moving and handling
It is never okay, even if she is a self funder she is entitled to support in this matter from your local authority. Your Man has a right to see her last days with some dignity.