Case Studies

FAMILIES COMPLAINING LOVED ONES ARE WEARING OTHER RESIDENTS' CLOTHES DURING VISITATION RESTRICTIONS

''This has happened ever since my mum went into a care home. We bought her lots of nice clothes but she's always wearing clothes belonging to another resident.'' Samantha (Facebook)

”These are such basic things which should be so easy to fix and yet they still aren't getting it right, if they struggle with the basics how can they be trusted with medication??? It is about time anywhere that isn't up to scratch was shown to be how it is, the Care Quality Commission? Seems to serve no purpose other than to smooth over these issues and help paint a picture of things being OK in many of these homes or with the homecare Providers.”Susan (Facebook)

Families are contacting CCFTV telling of concerns elderly loved ones in care during Covid visiting restrictions are seen wearing other residents clothes. Elderly, many diagnosed with dementia rely on care staff to assist with helping get dressed and important their dignity is maintained at all times. An increase in families is coming to us unhappy when their relatives are dressed in another person's clothes and say even when clothes are labelled with name and room number this still happens. We are concerned with an increase in complaints regarding this issue in care homes.

Debbie told CCFTV, '' My mum before dementia was such a fastidious lady and loved looking nice and clean with well-fitting clothes and shoes. We spend a lot of money on her clothes and when we visit and we see she is wearing another residents attire it's very frustrating and upsetting. I often comment to the carer mums wearing someone else's jumper or trousers and one day a carer casually turned and said to me ''But she looks nice. That certainly is not the point and would like to see her wearing someone else's ill-fitting clothes and shoes all day to maybe get an idea of how this feels. Elderly with dementia should not be failed in this way and again it is about training and empathy. There is no excuse once the clothes are labelled and I also worry if mum is then wearing someone else's underwear. It's just horrific to be put in his position during visiting restrictions because we can't go in and see what's going on.''

''A carer asked me on skype if my husband could be bought more trousers as the others no longer fitted. I bought four new elasticated pairs in February and she told me she hadn't seen them. Probably in someone else's wardrobe.'' Heather (Facebook)

Care Campaign for the Vulnerable is speaking to families telling us they are concerned with the level of care to loved ones during COVID19 visiting restrictions. If you are interested in this case study please contact ccftv.cares@gmail.com