Hello everyone Susan here; I would be really grateful for your advice; my lovely friend is a blind lady in a very failing care home; its been in special measures for a few years and is failing now in 4 out of 5 areas; my gut is she being sedated for a quiet night’s sleep; when I call her at 8pm or 9m her words are slurred and she can hardly speak. It’s just a very strong gut intuition I have; I can email the social worker but she is on holiday for a week. She hasnt been diagnosed with dementia but she is on a dementia ward. the social worker has told me there are a few investigations pending about how my friend Susan has been mistreated by staff and one resident; I feel like going to stay over night in my friends room or book a hotel very close to the care home just so I can see what is going on ; unfortunately I live a couple of hours away from the care home
when I visited today, it smelt so awful , full of urine and they hadn’t changed my friend; it felt so degrading; I have spoken to social worker and said its clearly unsafe and she needs to be moved; However the social worker asked my friend if she wanted to move and Susan said no. Its heart rending to see how poor the care can be; my plan is to a) speak to social worker about my gut feeling
b) to speak to CQC
c) to pray my friend can move asap to a loving care home; thank you so much for letting me share;; any ideas would be so welcome; thank you so much Susan
@susan_170912 ,welcome tot he fourm. From reading your post, really points A and B you should do but it might be worth having a safeguard issued to help protect your friend until something can be done.
Definitely ring CQC asap!
They need to know your concerns.
Some years ago my mum complained to them (she was very timid, the opposite of me, so this was in itself extraordinary). They handled her complaint about her care company very well, she was not the only complainer and the issues ended up being headline news on the local paper.
The only way they can improve things is by people telling them what is going on. They can do unannounced inspections and look at the medication charts.
Hi Susan.
This may be of use to you.
It covers Care Homes as well as elsewhere.
Welcome to the forum.
What a horrible situation.
Trust your gut.
You are doing all the right things and have been given sound advice.
As @Michael_1910123 says, you can ring the emergency social care safeguarding duty line - this should be manned 24/7 over the weekend too.
Dear Melly a thousand thanks ; will report to liverpool safeguarding now
thanks so much Bowling Bun; thanks so much; rang cqc but they were closing ; will ring monday asap; thanks so much susanx
a thousand thanks Chris; a thousand thanks
cant wait to read this susan
@susan_170912 CQC have really been helpful to me and my concerns so that is a good call. Also contact the local MP, they may be able to take this up for you too.
Great news. It’s a shame when things have to get to this stage, but you had to do it to protect your friend as well as others at the Care Home. Hopefully positive steps will be taken quickly and you will see things improve.
a thousand thanks Chris; wonderful to have your support
susan
wonderful to have your support ; a thousand thanks
a thousand thanks to you all for your wonderful support ; my friend Susan wants to move to this care home Prince Alfred Care Home I Care Home in Wavertree, Liverpool
I fully support her; Ill ask her to moved asap; a thousand thanks to you all for your support; she is on NHS continuing care. Does anyone have and advice on how to talk to the social worker about moving; I think the social worker has herself said current care home is unsafe etc ; please keep Susan in your prayers as I try my best to get her shifted
Susan
Hello there dear friends; can you believe the social worker does not want to move my friend; any advice you have would be greatly appreciated
Dear Ayo Thanks for your email and for talking to me;
When I’ve spoken to Susan over the last month or Susan has repeatedly said she was not happy in this care home and wanted to leave . However Susan didn’t think there was any other option and she had to stay there in Finch Manor.
After our last visit when I saw you I came home and looked around for an alternative and found the care home in Wavertree which specializes in helping blind clients. This care home is known for being patient centred, having music and therapy dogs in every week etc; This is what Susan has always talked about; listening to music and having a dog visit.
When I told Susan about this home existing , Susan got really excited about this place. Susan wanted me to speak to you about this
Around relocating her I can understand that she would be terrified of just being put into a wheel chair and moved based on what you said about people spinning her around but I’m positive that if one of her friends accompanied her on the journey so she knows what is happening then she would be more than happy.
I will have supervision on how I am supporting Susan and will email you tomorrow
Susan
Good afternoon Sue,
Many thanks for your email. I am unsure on your rational for advising that the care home is not maintaining her safety. Previous concerns had been raised and those have been addressed, and safety measure were put in place, and continue works is being completed to support Susan. Susan has capacity and although I understand she is a vulnerable adult, is able to advocate for herself to a certain point.
I appreciate that you wish to support Susan, but as previously mentioned support is being provided and from a professional stance I think a move at this stage would be detrimental to her wellbeing.
As mentioned on Friday, Susan has stated she did not wish to move, and I am concerned that various information’s are being fed to her to make decisions she does not wish to make. In relation to Prince Alfred, if a move was necessary, it would be for Susan to make such decision and as stated last week, her level of needs would need to be looked at, and a residential placement would not be able to meet Susan’s needs.
King regards
Ayo
Does Susan have an independent advocate? Were you invited to the meeting?
My son had a meeting without me and I was told that he said he wasn’t interested in steam engines any more. Utter rubbish, it’s his only hobby, he nay have learning difficulties but can drive our engines safely by himself!
thanks so much; no susan does not have an independent advocate; i will try and get her one ; any ideas where to get one
thanks so much susan x
Ask Social Services to arrange a “Care Act Advocate”.
thankyou so so much bowlingbun; will do this
the chc people are coming out to review my friend on Monday; please keep her in your prayers that she can move somewhere safe ; thank you so much
Definitely will @susan_170912
Let us know how it goes.