Care home concerns

Unless he is too afraid to

The care home staff claim that my father fell out of bed.

It could have happened that way Denis - a friend of mine was in hospital and she fell out of the bed (not used to a single bed and stretched out and found not enough bed to stretch onto) and cracked a rib - and she was only 40!

Do ask you father how it happened and hopefully, he can shed some light on it.

Denis, I have been down this road and it took me two years to get my mother out of a care home where she was being neglected and abused.

I'm afraid you have to turn yourself into public enemy no. 1 where the home is concerned. Don't take the 'falling out of bed' excuse if you don't believe it. It's probably at the top of their list of excuses along with staff shortages.

You'll have to get social services involved as he is a vulnerable adult. As suebailey has said, take photos and keep a diary. I also kept copies of e-mail and facebook correspondence between myself and my brothers.

Does the other resident have family members you could talk to to compare notes?

People often install hidden cameras to record abuse but if you have already made complaints they will be very vigilant and check the room regularly. Better to keep written and photographic records that you can produce at meetings.

If your father suffers another injury contact his GP and insist on a visit.

You can also insist on having sides installed on his bed to prevent him falling out if they persist with this excuse.

Good Luck.

All good advice.
DON'T let it go.
Make a nuisance of yourself.
Take pics
Visit at irregular times if possible.
Does dad now have a side on his bed 'to prevent him falling out again'. You can get sides that just fit in under the mattress.
See accident book, is there an accident report form, ask for a copy of it.
If he fell out of bed - was he found on the floor - who found him - get name.

You must be so worried and upset. My good wishes and also my anger is with you.

Denise Report it to the police. Speak to Age UK. Better still do both.

It is elder abuse and should be stopped immediately.

Have you asked to see the accident book? Did you take a photo?

Thank you for all the very useful comments. The care home staff claim that my father fell out of bed. I have never ever known him to do this. It also seems odd that both my father and the other resident receive injuries at the same time. Is it a member of staff who can't handle them as they speak their mind?

What a worrying situation for you Denis - I can't really add anything that Mishap and suebailey haven't already covered but I do hope you take the advice and also ask your father how these incidents happened.

I wish you well.

Often unexplained falls and injuries are as a result of poor staffing levels and inadequate supervision which I know doesn't make it any better but cases of assault are much rarer than neglect. Lots of sensible advice here including visit the home as much as you can and perhaps persuade other visitors to be vigilant. I would also keep a diary of your visits and observations and take a photo of any injuries to your father - you will not be allowed to photograph anyone else (unless of course they give you permission. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Exactly as Mishap says.

My mum was in an awful home to begin with though I doubt there was any actually abuse. The home she is now in will ring us if they find a bruise that no-one can account for or if Mum has a fall and I always complain about it (to Dh and my brothers) but really I am very grateful. I have complete trust in this home. Sounds as though your trust has broken down.

Have you had contact with your father's named SW - I would try her/him as well! In fact everyone mentioned by Mishap.

A care home near here has closed following the arrest of 4 employees after complaints of assault.

Turn you worry and anger into action and come back and tell us what happens.

OK - this is not acceptable.

- speak to the home and ask for an explanation of the injuries
- if you are not satisfied with their response, ring local adult SSD team and request an urgent visit, saying that it is about protection of a vulnerable adult.
- ring CQC and do not leave the phone until you have made your concerns very clear.
- if there is no satisfaction to be had through these routes, then do not hesitate to contact the police.
- be at the home as much as you can and make sure that they know you are on the case and watching what they are doing - inform them of all the steps you are taking. There is nothing like knowing that someone is on your case to make them be more careful. Not a long term solution, but gets the point across.

Even if there is not direct assault as you fear, there is clearly neglect that has allowed harm to come to these two individuals.

What does your father say? Is he able to tell you what happened? Has he appeared to be settled there previously?

Do not ignore this - persist and make a total pest of yourself until someone takes it seriously. Do not be backward in coming forward. I know it is an awkward situation, but you do have to make loud noises. The home staff are in your (or your father's employ) and you have every right to question what is going on. A good home will not find this a problem.

Let us know how you get on.

Yes I agree I would move heaven and hell to get it sorted including going to the police and perhaps the social services?

Denis You must be very worried
If I didn't get a satisfactory response from someone in authority, I think I'd be inclined to go to the police.

I'm so sorry, Denis for your distress and for your father's injuries. You don't say what explanation the home gave for the injuries, or whether your father had medical attention. I would start there and ask to see the report of the incident or accident. There should be a detailed record. If I was still concerned, I would contact social services, as suebailey suggests.

Denis I'm sorry for the upset and injury to your dad, very sad and upsetting. (I am such a practical person that I often just jump in with a response to the question, and forget to express my feelings about the incident described). for you.

I don't have any experience of relatives in care homes, but I'd go up the ranks of CQC and report the incident plus the fact that I've had no response - someone there surely, must respond. The Chief Executive's office?

I am so sorry to hear this you must be very distressed about your father.

When you say the CQC don't respond - have you spoken to someone directly?

Have the home explained the injuries to you? If it were me and I wasn't satisfied with the responses I would probably have a chat with Social services Adult Protection Team in the first instance but I find it quite worrying (although not altogether unexpected that CQC haven't satisfied you). Keep going until you get some answers from someone. Best wishes for some sort of response today.