Case Studies

Barbara’s story in response to 10 Downing Street rule-breaking during national lockdown

This is only one story that you have heard thousands of times about the elderly being failed by the care system. My mum is called Barbara and approximately eight years ago I noticed things started to change. She would forget how to switch on the television, cooker, washing machine, not sure how to dial out on the phone and started wrapping things and hiding them saying that people were stealing. As time went on it was decided Mum wasn’t safe to drive her car but losing this independence had a massive impact and she started to decline even further.
I was working full time, spending as much time as I could taking mum out and helping with her meals, gardening and housework. I decided we needed help and contacted ‘Social Services’ as it seemed we would get a wide range of help but this was not the case and we were only offered a local ‘Care group’ to visit mum first thing to check she was okay and give her breakfast. I would leave her a sandwich for lunch and ring her to remind her to eat it. Then I would go at teatime to give her a cooked meal. I found the whole service a shambles. Carers would sometimes not turn up for the breakfast call until lunchtime leaving mum without anything to eat or drink and there was no consistency with staff. There were many other issues that were ongoing through the time of the service.
Mum deserved more than this and I managed to get private help, four ladies were recommended through my hairdresser who was all semi-retired but had the experience of caring for the elderly. Each initially came for a couple of hours a week to take mum out for a drive/walk and visit a coffee shop but this increased significantly as mum's condition deteriorated. They also helped with the gardening and housework and were there at lunchtime to ensure mum had something to eat and drink.
As mum's condition deteriorated, she was terrified of being left alone, became incontinent and was refusing help with hygiene issues and by this time couldn’t use the phone or the personal alarm she had in place. Either I or carers found her unconscious several times and on one occasion we had to break down the door. We called the paramedics several times which resulted in spending hours at A&E. It was evident that this situation couldn’t continue and my health (both physical and mental was breaking point). Mum needed 24-hour care and I put together a schedule to include the four private carers and myself but this came at a cost of over £1500 a week and we took out an equity release on her property.
In August 2020 I made the difficult decision that Mum needed to go into a care home. We were right in the pandemic and did a lot of research on local care homes, asking for recommendations and about visiting in the current climate. I selected a care home that was both recommended and had, by far, the best visiting arrangements for relatives.
We have since, had TWO lockdowns. The first around December 2020 and the latest just after Christmas 2021. The care staff at Mums' care home have done an amazing job during these difficult times and I do not question the severity of Covid in the past, as I and my partner were extremely ill in November 2020. My partner spent two weeks in hospital and almost lost his life, he is still suffering from long Covid.

I do however question recent and in some cases continuing lockdowns in care homes at a time when most people testing positive for Covid/Omicron either have mild symptoms or in most cases no symptoms, all residents have been vaccinated and have had the booster, care workers are leading normal lives mixing with family and friends then going to work, care home workers are expected to go to work even if members of their household have Covid.
Relatives also test prior to taking out or visiting residents and I am sure would not take any chances of putting loved ones in any danger.
These guidelines are totally out of line with all other sectors and it seems that the government/local authority/private care homes are all blaming each other and whilst they are making up their minds, thousands of elderly and their families are suffering unimaginable heartache.
All care home residents have limited life expectancy. I find it cruel and inhumane that they are being denied their basic human rights to have contact with family members, have fresh air and a trip to their favourite place, as well as be locked away in their rooms with no contact with other residents.

The Public was told that having the vaccine and booster would be a passport to normal life. This may be the case for the majority but is not for care home residents and their families. I love my mum so much and dementia keeps taking her away from me bit by bit. I and thousands of others in my position should not have to keep up the fight for compassion and common sense.

Care Campaign for the Vulnerable supports families and carers telling us the national lockdown brought many sacrifices when families were told they couldn't visit elderly relatives in care homes or hold the hand of dying loved ones. Families contacting CCFTV are responding angrily to the Sue Grey Downing St investigation report, saying the PM must now go.''

If interested in this case study please contact ccftv.cares@gmail.com