Case Studies

''My Dad had to go into a care home recently as he has Alzheimer's with challenging behaviours. My mum was unable to care for him at home as it was becoming too much for her. My Dad at the beginning enjoyed his time at the home and everything seemed okay. But then he started saying things like “someone hit me” and so he then said he would hit back saying 'not as hard as they hit me, but I had a go’ as well as 'it's not the same here anymore.'

On Monday the care home called my mother and told her Dad had an “accident”. It was said he was 'trampolining' on his bed and then fell off. Both his hand and arm were swollen so bad and he had a cut on his elbow. My dad came on the phone and told me he was “grabbed and pulled off the bed and thrown to the floor”.

There is no way my dad could get up and stand on the bed let alone jump up and down on it. My mum and sister went to visit him on Tuesday and were horrified to see him sitting in a chair with his arm ‘hanging’ by his side and swollen. My dad was disoriented and just “not with it”. It was the worst they had seen him and he was obviously in pain. He received no first aid or no ambulance was called as his “fall” was unwitnessed. My mum and sister demanded an ambulance, and dad was only then taken to A&E. The X-ray didn't show anything obvious, but the nurses said the deep swelling could be getting in the way.

Mum then received a call from Adult Social Care and the lady told mum to get my Dad “moved as a matter of urgency” and to tell our local ASC to get the police involved as they can investigate more than ASC can. That being told to us indicates that they've had dealings with this home before or why else why would they react in this way? The home has a CQC rating of requires improvement across the board.

I feel something untoward has happened to my Dad and we are all worried about my Dad's safety now and in the future. At the moment we are at the hands of Adult Social Care who have not moved very quickly throughout my Dad's illness and especially this last year which has seen my Dad go downhill incredibly quickly.

''I don't know what to do to protect my Dad right now. Our family need help."

Care Campaign for the Vulnerable is supporting this family. CQC and relevant care agencies have been contacted and we are supporting the family to look for an alternative care placement for their loved one. We will also be ensuring vulnerable residents at this service are safe. If you are interested in this case study please contact ccftv.cares@gmail.com