Case Studies

A daughter tells of her shock when her mother was faced with a seven day eviction notice during the Coronavirus

''Faced with a seven day eviction notice for mum who lives with dementia, to leave her home, has brought our family untold stress ... our elderly do not deserve this''

A daughter contacted Care Campaign for the Vulnerable alleging a care home sent a 'out of the blue' e mail demanding a contract be signed or her elderly mum face a SEVEN day notice to quit. Holly told CCFTV she was negotiating a deal with the care home provider on behalf of her mother. Under the Government deferred payment scheme her mum's cottage would be sold in the event of her death. She said '' My mother's wish was to have her ashes scattered in the garden at her home. The scheme was set up by the Government to protect people in care from being forced to sell their homes while residing in care homes.''

We understand there is a substantial outstanding sum. Our mother owns her home so she will have to pay for her own care. We haven't resented that but we have been re-negotiating with the current care home owner and more than prepared to meet the home half way. I was in a state of shock during these negotiations when we received an email saying if we didn't accept their offer then our mother would have to vacate in seven days. We were astounded this would have ever been an option during Coronavirus and nothing short of callous to give just seven days to even begin finding a new and suitable placement for her.

''Serving our mother a seven day eviction notice during the Coronavirus would put her at dire risk... it shouldn't be allowed to happen''

We have previously brought safeguarding issues that involved the CQC regarding our mother who suffered a fall and other care concerns and was picked up on the safety monitoring we eventually were allowed to view. We saw on the footage showing a staff member not alerting care staff to attend to my mother before her accident when she was showing signs of much distress and instead just walked out of the room. My mother soon after, tumbled out of her wheelchair suffering terrrible bruising to her face. This incident was raised as a safeguard and the CQC were informed.

We believe the provider serving my mother a seven day notice to quit her home and during Covid 19 pandemic is placing her and other elderly people at great risk and shows absolutely no empathy to the vulnerable residents they are suppose to care for - least of all my dear mum who is now faced with having to move.

''Where is the incentive for people to buy there own homes... ?

As a family we feel we have made many requests to the home and tried to come to a compromise on my mother's fees. We know we owe money and we are doing all we can to address this. As a home owner my mother is expected to pay nearly a third more in fees than the exact same placement in the same home if residents had no savings or own their own home and therefore funded by the LA. Where is the incentive to save or work hard to buy your own house?

This Government made a commitment that no one should have to sell their own home to pay for their care. The Government has failed in their promise and at the same time allowed the care sector in part, to descend into what can only be described as a cartel''.

CARE CAMPAIGN FOR THE VULNERABLE STATEMENT

Care Campaign For The Vulnerable is supporting this family and we are very disappointed and dismayed to hear a provider serve a threat of a seven day eviction notice and during the Coronavirus pandemic. We are equally shocked with the length of time given by this provider for the family to find a suitable and safe placement for their elderly mum.

The care sector is under scrutiny right now and distressing reports like this one coming through to us do very little to improve it.

While we understand the complexities around such cases, the priority should always be the elderly person at the heart of it and we see the actions of a care provider threatening to serve a seven day notice especially during these unprecedented times, to be completely unethical and morally vacant.

UPDATE ON THIS CASE STUDY

We spoke of our dismay when this family contacted Care Campaign for the Vulnerable reporting their elderly mother living with Alzheimer’s was faced with a seven day eviction notice because of a unresolved payment dispute with the care provider. CCFTV is delighted to be informed by the family and care provider that the issues have now been resolved and the seven day eviction notice withdrawn. CCFTV contacted the care provider to offer our support to the family and to raise concerns at the short notice period being served, especially during Covid 19.

“Our family is relieved to have come to a resolution with the provider and with the full support from CCFTV. Our mother’s safety is paramount and moving her now in such as short period of time as well as during the Coronavirus would have, without doubt, brought many challenges and risks. We are relieved a settlement has now been reached and our mother can stay. Thank you Care Campaign for the Vulnerable.'' Holly.