Residents attacking staff in care home

[SummerGardenFlowers]

Ok so not strictly related to an elderly parent of mine - however my DD works as a cook in a care home and has been attacked/witnessed other staff being attacked by confused residents in the past. That resident has since passed away, but she's messaged to say another resident has moved in who is a tall man and he has already attacked a member of staff. She's actually quite frightened by this, she only works in the kitchen and isn't a carer, however residents are allowed free access to all areas of the home and obviously a kitchen (knives etc) could be a dangerous area to be. It doesn't seem like management are taking her concerns seriously. What can she do?

Exactly and if someone is threatened due to failure by the management the police should act. It would probably be the manager in court for failing to act.

That's what I was thinking.

Who's making sure they aren't touching food with dirty hands or touching raw meat and then touching other food.

Something just isn't right with this.

My grandfather was the most mild mannered man you could meet. Never shouted, never swore - textbook grandfather with the patience of a Saint

In the last days of his life he saw little black men in his room and thought the nurses were trying to poison him. He did smack one which made my grandma distraught. Fortunately it was a one off thing as a result of a medication change but what would you expect the police to do with a 92 year old clearly unwell man? Take him from his hospital bed to a prison cell?

So if a patients faffs around with the fridge settings because they think it's too hot or too cold. Or gives everyone food poisoning because they've contaminated cooked meat with raw meat - whos responsible?

If you have mentally OK patients then maybe have a separate patients kitchens with 'safe' food, bread for toasting, biscuits, cooked meats.
Kettle for tea and coffee.

But keep them out the main kitchen. Where they are potentially a nightmare for the staff.

But dementia patients are often in homes because they aren't safe to be home alone, exactly the same as toddlers. Not ageist at all to say that. It's a cruel illness.

No, you can't have a safe small kitchennette. As nothing is safe to certain residents, and anything may be safe for others.

Generally there is a trained kitchen staff or more than one in the kitchen at all times from 8 am to 8 pm. Residents may access the kitchen, however typically when they do, they are asked what they would like and if they need help. Their access is supervised. Details will vary depending on the size of the home.

From 8 pm to 8 am, generally kitchen access is limited because you may not have the same kitchen staff coverage.

Typically during those hours, the care staff will provide snacks on request, where reasonable to do so.

Residents are entitled to access the home like a home. Food stores with specialised fridges tend to be seperate rooms off the kitchens.

Fridges in the actual kitchen tend to store basics for use during that day, like milk and butter, maybe packaged ham slices, cheese, yogurts etc. If a resident enters the kitchen, they tend to be asked what would they like, and their request is responded to.

They might want a glass of water. It's not a prison.

No.

If a member of staff is hurt its up to the individual member of staff if they want to report it to the police. 99.9% of the time they don't because they recognise no harm was intended and that people the people they care for are unwell.

If a resident is injured as a result of an assault by anyone (resident or staff member or anyone else) the care home has a duty to ask the injured person or their family/advocates if they want it reporting to police and a duty to report it regardless to adult social care and the CQC.

The police if informed should come out, speak to the care home manager, any staff who witnessed it, the residents involved with support from family/advocates and then in nearly every case will close it no further action without anyone being arrested or taken anywhere.

In very serious cases though there will be a full police investigation.

My mum's home has a kitchen/dining room on her floor and EVERYTHING is locked away! I couldn't even open a cupboard to get her a glass for some water once. That sounds very odd OP.

With regards to employees being harmed at work - despite what some are saying here, some incidents are reportable, not directly to the police necessarily, but at under RIDDOR in some circumstances. and it is EVERY employers responsibility to ensure they are operating within HASWA - employees have a right to a safe working environment. Just as care homes residents have a right to a safe residential environment

As for home residents having unfettered access to places such as kitchens - that's a potential OSA issue - allowing vulnerable people who lack mental capacity to enter places such as operational kitchens at will - it doesn't sound to me like much risk assessment has gone on.

CQC would be worth a call

Yes, absolutely this.
If the care home manager takes no notice then look for new job and report.
My DM was in a care home that was force closed by local council for unsafe practices.

It’s shocking that the residents have access to the kitchen. At my DM’s nursing home which is for people with challenging behaviour who can’t be looked after at other homes there is a key pad to get into the kitchen and two codes are needed to get out of the home.

If she works in the kitchens she should be aware of risk assessments though. It’s her responsibility to read the RA for the area she works in. It will include use of equipment (including how knives are safely stored) , food safety and hygiene but should also include general safety.

Sorry, that should read that she isn't sure what risk assessments are in place for the care of the residents, obviously she knows about what goes on in the kitchen, but she isn't a carer she is a cook! And it is a professional kitchen, she makes meals for 30 odd residents at a time so definitely lots of sharp/hot objects. And also, yes to what people are saying about food hygiene, she's mentioned residents wandering in in the past who have got "unclean hands" (make of that what you will) who have touched the food etc. Been told by management that absolutely not allowed to keep the door locked, also carers need to come in to get drinks etc for residents. She's in her early 20s so probably doesn't feel like she's got much of a voice in matters.

So say this residents comes in, picks up a knife and attacks her - what then?

I used to work in a retirement home. It’s madness to allow residents access to the kitchen, if only for their own safety.

She should find a job somewhere else.

Any risk assessment that includes 'we expect workers to redirect residents who are unwell and have unpredictable behaviours/lack capacity from the kitchen' is a risk assessment asking for trouble.

I'm hoping that she is successful in her upcoming job interview, I'm actually gobsmacked that there aren't more robust processes put in place to protect staff!!

Police wouldnt do anything . People with Dementia don't have men's rea, that's the mental capability to co.mit any offences and know what they have done is wrong. As previous posters have said its part of the job unfortunately. Not a job I would do but surely u must know this when seeking such a profession. A cook however shouldn't expect it!