Carers are really bad and it’s affecting mums life.

[iamamickey]

Mum is at home but bed bound. I go for few hours every day but at different times. We have carers four times per day and recently the personal have all changed. She has a rotation of very young girls
going in. (Less that 20yrs old) they don’t wash her
properly, had been giving her mullet rice for every meal despite me having a menu on the fridge for each day and fresh home cooked
dinners in there (these then had to be binned) they are supposed to give crushed medication at night (they won’t crush meds but will give theM from a little pot) however when i go to refil it they have left some behind which means she hasn’t got her full dose. She relies heavily on laxido for her bowels but they do not record her output so I can’t see if she’s constipated and given she has now lost speech I can’t ask her.

im so frustrated because the old team were brilliant and we had a brilliant system going. The young girls we have now don’t speak to mum unless telling her they are going to do something. They talk over her. They are covered in fake tan and really thick eyelashes and they are so messy - don’t clean dishes after them. Leave wet towels on the chair. Dont change her pyjamas leave her lying on wrinkled sheets. I could go on.

I’ve spoken to office about more serious issues like feeding and medication but nothing has changed and I feel petty now because they really are so poor.

can I ask for new carers? I’m so frustrated, mum wants to stay at home
but these girls are terrible. If I complain any more will they start taking it out on mum?

has anyone any experience of this?

The age, fake tan, and eyelashes are irrelevant.

I would complain with specifics to manager. Medicines, bowel habits, that impact her health. Trivial things (eg wrinkled bed sheet) you could leave them a note. Make sure you leave really clear instructions - "reheat plated up meal A in fridge by microwaving for 2 mins". Instructions for how microwave works left on door. I'm assuming it's not a food texture/swallow issue.
Don't tidy up after them - except if it's going to cause damage. Leave it for them to do.

Have a handover type sheet for them to complete - what meal she had, how meds were given, what personal care was done, etc.

Is she self funding or through adult social care, and do you have POA?

My heart absolutely goes out to you and your Mum for being in this situation; my Mother was treated appallingly by a team of carers, and we complained to the adult social care team who sourced the agency, the head of the council, the MP, the local mayor and the London mayor, all of which ignored us. My only advice to you is to email her social worker with your concerns, copy in the head of adult services as well, contact her GP to any adverse affect on her health is noted, and ask for an advocate to help you speak for her: ask for a copy of her care plan which should detail what the carers should do when caring for your Mum, so you can check her needs are being met.

Report the agency to CQC

Your poor mum. If possible could you take a day or two off work, be there and show them what needs to be done? Then as pp suggests leave the notes?

I work as a home carer and this is obviously totally unacceptable. Hqve you put your complains in writing and followed the whole complaint proceedure for the company? You can escalate it to the local adult protection service (im in Scotland, i think most of UK has similar) and then care inspectorate if still not sorted. You need to keep a detailed log of whats happening and when/ how often with photos if possible.
Does your DM get district nurses in? Couls be worth talking to them or the GP about your concerns too as this is at best neglect which is a form of abuse. Your poor Mum, talking to your client is so important too.

i try to be there when the carers aren’t that’s so we don’t overlap and we have someone there all day. The issues have only begun since these new girls started. On the odd day when there is one of the previous carers we see a huge difference. I’ve emailed my concerns but got no reply and I’ve phoned but I’m just fobbed off. I know my social worker will be great when she comes back it’s just unfortunate that won’t be till mid April.

Call the social worker now, if shes on holiday there will be somone covering for emergencies. Lack or proper food and med mistakes on a regular basis make it an emergency

If your concerns are being ignored you need to speak to the social worker.

That's shocking, that your concerns were ignored at every level. How discouraging.

There should be a detailed careplan for them to follow. If that is not happening and the agency are not interested you need to report them. It is a patient safety concern and should be taken seriously.