Elderly parents
Care home neglect?
Mxflamingnoravera · 11/03/2023 08:40
My mum has dementia, she lives in a care home. I visit weekly. She's been in her current home since august and was three years in her previous home, she had to leave because she started to wander out and get lost, they couldn't keep her in and so I moved her to a specialist (locked) dementia home.
I visited yesterday and she was complaining about a mark on her shoe. I asked her to give me the shoe so she took it off and handed it to me. It smelled dreadful and I commented that it was a bit whiff and then looked down at her feet. I was horrified to see that her toenails were like claws, she clearly had fungal nail disease and they had not been cared for or cut in months.
Her bill clearly shows chiropodist charges in February and November, but the state of her nails looks to me like they've been untreated for months. I tried to cut the nails myself but it was impossible without causing her pain.
I went down to see the manager and the clinical lead. The clinical lead (a nurse) looked at the pictures I'd taken of mum's feet and said that has not happened overnight, that's months of disease.
They've promised a doctors visit next week and a chiropodist visit, but it suggests to me that this is symptomatic of a deeper neglect. In my situation what would others do? I'm going to write and complain. It's self funded and costs £1470 a week...
LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 11/03/2023 08:46
I would certainly complain in writing to the home. Did the November and February chiropodist visits happen and if so what records were made? I’d be surprised if the home doesn’t investigate anyway, but give them a chance to do their research and to tell you what action they are taking for your mum and how they are going to make sure it’s not going to happen again. If nothing is forthcoming pdq then I’d consider a safeguarding referral to your local council.
Mxflamingnoravera · 11/03/2023 08:55
Im wondering if I should move her. If they are not checking her feet, what else are they not checking?
I'll draft a letter today asking to see the chiropody reports and her intimate care records. It'll certainly put a rocket up them but I've a deeper feeling of worry that this may be just one symptom of deeper neglect. I've no evidence for other neglect but it's left me angry and upset that other things could be being missed.
MarshaMelrose · 11/03/2023 09:13
They're admitting neglect. Ask them what their next actions are going to be investigating this. It's easy to say move her but it's so difficult in practice because some of the dementia homes are so awful. What are its CQC ratings? You can always complain to them if you're not happy.
Mum5net · 11/03/2023 17:04
Move her. They’ve crossed a non negotiable line.
it is a hassle to start the searching process again but you won’t be happy unless you do.
The best care homes are ones with steady well trained staff, whose Manager is visible and has been in post years rather than months.
I suspect they won’t hold you to the notice period.
Stay strong. Stick to your guns.
If she still has a social worker drop the SW an email with the photos.
If you are friends with other residents’ families ask them to check the feet,too.
Sending hugs xx
Mammut · 11/03/2023 17:31
Also as others have suggested, raise a safeguarding concern or adult protection referral (depending where in the UK you live) with the local authority. Its really important that everybody else who lives in the home is safe from harm too. Other residents may not have families who can advocate on their behalf.
Newjumper2023 · 11/03/2023 17:51
I'm assuming your mum gets some funding from continuing health care/social services (if not she needs an assessment). I would contact the ccg and adult social services team who assessed and pay for (some) of the care,
Contact cqc (especially as its not been assessed yet),
Raise a safeguarding,
Make a written complaint to the homes manager and owners,
Ask to see your dm records, care plans see if there's anything documented,
Contact her gp yourself (often gps are linked to specific homes and may be able to escalate things to).
I think the more people aware the more action will take place.
I used to work for one of the organisations mentioned above and I know for definite our team would have done an inspection of all our clients in that home and escalated or overseen changes in practice (we'd also liase with all the families).
Mxflamingnoravera · 11/03/2023 18:02
Thanks for the detailed message @Newjumper2023 I've asked for all that info in my letter. I'll raise a SG concern and contact GP and Social Services. I'll also contact the person who did her CHC assessment.
It's just so awful, and you are all right, if this my mum who is reasonably able, how are others being treated?
Louisetopaz21 · 11/03/2023 18:15
I am a safeguarding adults social worker and I would say submit a concern form to the local authority safeguarding adults team as it is neglect. Does your mum have mental capacity? There seems to be an issue they have charged you for a service not given. Your poor mum and her dignity xx
WiIson · 17/03/2023 08:59
Mxflamingnoravera · 14/03/2023 18:44
Thanks @Mum5net. The place I saw today is very different. It's not shiny and new and like a 5star hotel. But it is lively, lots of interaction and they will have a vacancy in two weeks. I'm going to move her.
That sounds good op.
Mum5net · 17/03/2023 09:44
@Mxflamingnoravera
My DM's first care home was shut down by the CC after battling for a year to stay open and during the pandemic her then current one was put into special measures.
I've observed that the best way to operate is to move your relative ASAP, don't wait for the notice period. Hopefully the new place can take her quickly. I would imagine the original home will let you go without too much fuss for fear you will tell too many others.
Only when you are safely installed in the new place, return to your correspondence with the first place full guns blazing and your complaints to the appropriate commissions and Council authorities. It just removes the additional emotion and stress if you are fighting with them when she's not physically there. Well done you. It's relentless.
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