Another Care Home Where Elderly Residents Are Abused

[mikey4444]

Found this in the Guardian today :::

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/nov/05/dementia-patients-bullied-care-home-court-hears

Yet again, we have to rely on whistle blowers to expose this appalling cruelty. If my old Mum or Dad was in a place like this, I'm not sure if I could be answerable for my actions. The Care Quality Commission just can't be doing its job properly...again.

[Old_Geezer]

One might expect dementia patients to not act an an ideal manner. One probably doesn't read of reports of attacks by them because it is expected and coped with. Sure it would be nice to pay more but the market is supposed to sort out the jobs one needs to pay more for to attract employees from those that don't (distorting the market by bringing in foreign labour aside). It's difficult, if carers are paid more are we happy to pay more tax to cover the rise ? And who else should be paid more, and who is then to be at the bottom of the wage scale instead ? Should there be no such thing as differentials ?

Ultimately the issue here is the system and lack of checks that all is working as the public has aright to expect. I dread my mind going as I age and ending my days in one of these institutions. Not wishing to be controversial but I'd prefer society gave me the facilities to opt out when I felt enough was enough. But maybe that's a subject for different thread.

Back to the subject, pay might mean you get less than dedicated folk there, folk who feel that are only there because they can't find a better job, but in the final analysis the system should ensure that doesn't mean the service and thus the patients, suffer.

[Old_Geezer]

Have scanned the article. Seems to me those concerned have ceased to view the residents as humans in need of care, and merely nuisances one can have some monotony breaking fun with. Is there something about this control situation that encourages this slip into the 'godlike powerful staff' and the 'nothing/worthless resident' polarity viewpoint ? Can the psychologists shed light on how to prevent it ?

[pixie373]

It purely depends who you employ. A Carer will not treat people like that just because they can. These are bullies who have been employed in an industry where it is relatively easy to "get away with". Imo, it's nothing to do with Care work, environment or inspections, but evil individuals who have somehow got in.

[grumpy01]

We must have been very fortunate in the care home my Mother spent her last three years.If there was ever a problem or my Mother had somehow got herself between her bed and the wall they would ring.The most telling thing though was when ever I visited her and the carers came round with tea or whatever there was never any fear in my Mother's eyes.