Frustrated at how people in care homes are denied basic freedoms

[Nananananana]

Work in various homes as agency staff. A lady has just asked me if I can get her up at 10am instead of 8:15.. reported this back to the permanent staff and they said, no, she has to get up now. Tell her she needs to get up now.
Why?
Or they have to be put to bed at 7am.
I understand that some have morning medication etc. But this can be given whilst they're in bed still if needed, just woken up for it/something to eat then back to sleep if they want.
I've seen this across different homes, it probably happens in many.
Feels like they're in a prison sometimes, why should they be denied basic freedoms?
They pay thousands to live here.

I've not told her she has to get up, I've just left her and gone to someone else. It puts me off working in these places

There has to be a routine otherwise there would be chaos.

But i mean If they want an extra hour in bed one morning why can't they? We get that freedom, why can't they?

It's not just in care homes. It happens to people living in their own homes who have carers coming in too. They get up and are put to bed at the time the care agency can fit the visit in.

I agree that the home should work to give residents as much autonomy as possible over their lives but in the other hand, there is a practical element. Not everyone who needs help getting dressed can simultaneously decide to get up at 10.30am and then have a late breakfast, or go to bed at 10pm because there are limits on the number of staff available and the kitchen needs time to prepare lunch. But flexibility where possible, yes that is reasonable.

That sounds awful and it definitely isn’t the case in all care homes. It’s not an unreasonable request at all. Surely this lady can be left until last to be supported to get up in the morning.

One of the many reasons I would not be prepared to enter one.

Many inmates also have “denial of liberty”imposed which makes it illegal for them to leave, How these are imposed and “regularly reviewed” (not) is truly shocking

Agree it happens with people with carers coming in too.
I had a call at 7:30 in the evening from one of my mum's carers to say my mum wasn't there.
I pointed out my mum wasn't a prisoner and was at liberty to go out if she so chose.

*deprivation. I hate autocorrect.

Not all care homes are like this. This is depriving people of their rights. Barbaric. I’ve known care homes to allow residents that freedom.
speak to the manager of the home and if not the CQC.

So what happened with her care call if she wasn’t there? Did it get cancelled?

Totally agree that this is my experience as well and it's awful. The residents are pushed and pulled around like they are nothing at all.

My mum used to work in care homes. She let them get up anytime they wanted. Their home. Disgusting how they are treated when they are paying thousands

There isn’t always a choice and sometimes DoLS is necessary to keep a person safe.

My mum had to go into a care home and would never have agreed. She had severe vascular dementia. At the point of admission and prior to that in hospital she also needed 1:1 care, could be shouty and violent and didn’t sleep. She had forgotten she was unable to walk safely. Later when she was more settled, neither were needed.

i agree your lady should have been allowed her lie in Nana. It is important to do what you can for people when so much of their lives is now beyond their contol. I am sure she would have been at the place mum was in but I know that wouldn’t be the case everywhere.

It sounds like a prison that you pay a £1000 a week to stay in. It's horrible that the elderly are treated with so little patience when they're paying for the pleasure of staying there.

In an ideal world yes, sadly since the main function is to make profit whilst paying staff minimum wage and expecting them to do each do the job of several staff they have to follow a plan.

So a wasted visit for an overworked carer with multiple other clients to see then. Was there no way you or your mum could have informed the agency she wouldn't require her visit that day??

Not all care homes.

The ones I am familiar with are very much person centred. They are very small however, which enables flexibility and choice. And they are home for people with disabilities, rather than for older people specifically.

Like being in prison, get fed when the clock dictates and changed and put to bed all depending on time and availability of carers. The system is broken. Unfortunately, things will only get worse as we have a hugely increasing aging population and not enough underpaid undervalued carers. Society wants the people in most important jobs like nannies, teachers, nurses and carers to do a great job, go above and beyond but not pay them a decent wage.

It’s terrible and not person centred care at all,

Yes, super selfish to not let the carer know.

Yep. Agreed. If your mother needed the care, she should be there. Also, you sounds like the type who would spit bloody murder if the carer didnt turn up or DIDNT ring when they discovered the person they were being cared for was missing with no info as to where.

I’ve worked in community care and care homes it’s a shame carers are really pushed to get things done in a certain time

in care homes there’s a culture of “getting some up ready for the day staff” it used to frustrate me although I do understand the practical element, just far too short staffed and it impacts on care quality

Yes, it's wrong. They should have more individualized care, but staffing difficulties definitely hinder that.

As for Deprivation of Liberty, I've not yet seen a case in which it isn't necessary. I've also taken part in a number of section 21A challenges where the decision has been upheld by a judge.

How can some one sound like any type from one post?
Stupid and judgemental comment.