To think this care home situation isn't fair

[Cheeeeeeese]

We have people with Alzheimer's dementia mixed with people who have full capacity. There's a male with capacity who cannot walk, so can't lock his own door from the inside unfortunately. Another male with dementia who likes wandering has gone into the other man's room, trashed it and taken a few items, most of which we managed to recover.
The man is furious about the violation of his privacy and I completely understand. It's not right that people are treated like this. I'm not blaming the residents with dementia.
The man asked for his room to be locked during the day which I don't think is unreasonable. My colleague was instantly dismissive and told him this wasn't possible. I've told my manager about it but not sure if she'll get a key sorted. Not sure what else to do really. They also don't have adequate staff to provide 1-1 support for said residents with dementia.

He wants the door to be locked when he's in his room? If so then that wouldn't be possible, it would be a huge safety risk.

This is why my relative is in a specialist dementia unit. So that they get the specialist care they need and aren’t what feels like second class additions to other units. At the very least, patients with dementia should be ok a separate floor.

Yes I agree, they need specialist support. I don't think it's right in this home that people are mixed like this, it should be seperate floors as you say.
And indeed we can't lock him in due to safety, I don't know what the solution is really. I understand his frustration though as he shouldn't be having his room trashed.

It’s a breach of the resident’s right to privacy under the Human Rights Act. There is an article in today’s Guardian about complaints to the Local Government Ombudsman, on behalf of recipients of care; and they are increasingly dealing with human rights issues.

If your resident is funded by Social Services or NHS CHC funding, he can complain to the funding authority and they can take it up with the LGO. If he’s self funding, the complaints situation is a mess. See this paper by the Joint Human Rights Commission on human rights and care home residents July 22:

publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt5803/jtselect/jtrights/216/report.html

It is also part of the CQC’s standards regarding dignity and respect, which includes the right to privacy when residents want it:

www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/regulations-enforcement/regulation-10-dignity-respect

If I were the resident, I’d argue that I was entitled to privacy as per The Human Rights Act and CQC regulation 10, and the way to achieve that in my case, given I have the capacity, is to give me a key, under person centred care. Failing that, I’d make complaints to the CQC and the LGO.

Suggest a beam alarm for doors of both residents
it is a form of restraint (because it will sound and alert staff when set off) but might be justified for resident with capacity due to his wishes for privacy ; I would think should already be in place for resident who is entering rooms so that staff can be aware he is out and about to supervise him. Needs discussion agreement and consent forms signed.

YABU to raise this with management. This is a serious Safeguarding issue for both residents. I can't believe there isn't a lock that could be installed on his door (similar to a bathroom lock) that could be opened from the outside by a member of staff in sn emergency.....and why are mentally ill residents wandering around unsupervised long enough to enter someone else's room and trash it? Ensure this incident is documented and that you have a record of having raised it with management. If this continues, be brave and blow that whistle.

It's the care home place to provide a safe place for its residents, easier said than done. Surely the door can be locked during the day as the residents should be in the communal area doing whatever activities is planned for the day, although I believe, care homes can't do as many activities due to cost and staffing issues. Patients shouldn't be able to just wander freely about the bedrooms, especially if they have different care needs.

No residents can't be locked into their rooms, or lock themselves in. How would they get out in the event of a fire.

The solution, sadly, is to move homes - to one where dementia patients aren't admitted.

Would a stair gate work in this instance? I appreciate it is far from ideal mixing people with such varying needs though.

Keeping residents with dementia in a different floor is the real solution, but in the meantime; I would have thought the best thing would be for residents with capacity, to have a swipe card for entry to their bedrooms, like hotels do with electronic keys - the door is not locked from the inside, so there’s no safety issues, in case of fire, etc.

I am in the process of looking for a care home for my DM , I have 9 and 8 had the residents with dementia/Alzheimer’s on a separate floor and one didn’t. I had the same concern about that one.
My mum has Alzheimer’s.

Surely there could be a hotel style key card system as other people have suggested? I would be fuming if this was my relative.

They also don't have adequate staff to provide 1-1 support for said residents with dementia.

1-1 support? If only. Many care home residents would require this to make their lives anywhere near tolerable, but it’s cloud cuckoo land to think it will ever happen.
Is there even a minimum staff/resident ratio in care homes?

This was happening when my mother was in a nursing home. We put hooks either side of the door and put a wide cord across. It was a slight deterrent.
Or maybe a baby gate might work as well.
It's so difficult to balance safety and privacy.

I would have thought the best thing would be for residents with capacity, to have a swipe card for entry to their bedrooms, like hotels do with electronic keys - the door is not locked from the inside, so there’s no safety issues, in case of fire, etc.

And what happens if the lock malfunction or the card is lost or damaged?

An alarm on his door (dementia guy) or a safety gate on the (mentally sound)guys door

however what is odd is why he doesn’t lock his door when he leaves his room as I’m assuming he wasn’t in there when the guy went in as he would have sounded his personal alarm?

His and others' doors cannot be locked from the outside sadly. Well they can, but they haven't been provided keys to do so. There are some good suggestions here, thanks. This has happened a few times in the past with other residents.

I know a home where residents can lock their doors when they leave

under this scenario not sure why they can’t do it

You could always report the care home to the local council, and to the Care Quality Commission. It is sometimes the only way to focus the minds of management - especially if there's an unannounced visit. This is piss-poor safeguarding - supposing a resident with dementia trashes a person rather than a room next time? Not to mention that people are meant to have their privacy respected.

Hopefully the man's relatives will be doing this anyway, but you can do it yourself, anonymously if you prefer.

Normally residents with dementia are in a separate wing to those who have physical difficulties.
However, the problems still arises when other residents have walked into my DMs room and taken things, etc.
Also in some cases there may be a couple intogether, and only one may have dementia.
It is never easy in a residential home with multiple needs and multiple differening physical disabilities.

I do not want to suggest this as it is not fair and no it should not need to be done

Bur is there a way this man's things can be locked away or his stuff minimised (hidden) where he has easy access himself but not where the other man can access it

Again it is not fair and he should be allowed to have his room anyway he likes but it may help in the short term?

It sounds like you have a number of people in unsuitable settings.
In the short, immediate term, your people with dementia need to have 1:1 supervision whilst awake and be audibly monitored whilst sleeping. Your person without dementia needs to have an audible door alarm which sounds when his door is opened.
It can't go on. Massive safeguarding implications. People with dementia can display all sorts of behaviour outside of their ordinary,including sexual. This is a recipe for a very sad and tragic disaster when coupled with immobile, vulnerable people. And people with dementia need to be nursed in a safe, accepting and convivial environment not viewed with dislike and suspicion (which may be justified in the case of the man whose room has been violated.)
If these issues aren't being addressed then I'd whistle blow, and if not dealt with promptly up that avenue then I'd tip off CQC.

You can get locks which you need a key to open from the outside, but open as normal with no key needed from the inside.
The bedroom doors in my sister in law's care home have these as standard.

Most larger modern care homes have actual 'dementia care' floors now that are keypad accessible so residents can't wander & are safe on their own floor.
It sounds like the care home you are describing is very different & a bit chaotic. I agree with contacting the CQC.

Residents need to be supervised properly
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-64074958