Case Studies

Families contact Care Campaign for the Vulnerable to say elderly loved ones in care homes are struggling with restrictions and often do not know why loved ones can't hug or touch them. A son came to us for support and said his elderly mother told him ''she wants to die'' and is not settling in her care home since she arrived just before lockdown.

Ref https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8979561/Grandparents-care-homes-allowed-home-Christmas.html

https://metro.co.uk/2020/11/23/sons-heartbreaking-picture-of-mum-behind-fence-in-care-home-13638926/

“My mother went into care about a week before lockdown and terrified we were going to just leave her. I promised I would never leave her. We didn’t see her for months. Then in the summer, I got a window visit and some “fence” visits. During that whole time and on every visit my mum begged us to help her commit suicide. She still does to this day and she has not settled in the care home since she arrived over nine months.

A son told us '' My mother on a visit looked thin and unwell. I want to go in and assist with her mealtimes and ensure she is looked after. She tells her family she'd rather die. That's very hard to hear.''

Despite the Scottish guidelines saying we can have extended visits up to four hours we have no visits now and despite the area being on a low their 2. I got my first indoor visit for thirty minutes about six weeks ago - the last one before they shut all visits down. I am still affected by this. It took three care staff members to bring my mum into a small room and I was told to go to one end of the room and her the far side and then left us. We only had thirty minutes. I am still upset by the image of my mum's face and the expression of sheer terror when they came back to get her. She broke down in tears and begged the staff to let her cuddle me. Two staff members held my mothers arm and said nothing to her or me and took her away in tears in front of me - not even reassuring her.

''My mother before lock down....she thrived around family. It's heartbreaking ...''

A care staff member quickly directed me out of the building refusing any conversation with me. The “fence” visits were just too distressing for my mum and she looked unwell and thin. I often use to bring mum her favourite foods, snacks and drinks and she enjoyed eating with me. The staff even stold me she only eats when I give her food and said mum isn't eating much at all. This worries me as she has lost so much weight. I want to go in and assist her with her meals in her room. She isn't doing at all well and we, her family, are very concerned about her well being. We raised other concerns with the care inspectorate and promised these issues will be looked into. We just want to ensure our mother is not declining further in health and I need to go in with full PPE and assist with her care needs. We are grateful for any help or support to make my mothers last months more humane and comfortable".

Care Campaign for the Vulnerable supporting families to gain access in care homes when worried about the care of elderly relatives. If you are interested in this case study please contact ccftv.cares@gmail.com CCFTV has been given permission to publish photos