Dementia Care At It's Worst.

I was absolutely appalled to watch the Panorama programme last night about a home caring for patients with dementia. Suspecting rough treatment, a resident’s daughter concealed a hidden camera in her mother’s room and she was shocked to the core when she saw the footage. BBC1 Panorama

Not only was her mother roughly handled but she was not even spoken to at any time as a human being. She really was subjected to treatment that you would not inflict on an animal. I was outraged.

I was concerned over the reaction of the authorities, including the CQC. Of course, cases like this are in the minority, but in my view, if there is just one case like this, then that is one case too many

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As an industry, we need to feel confident that procedures are in place to empower staff to come forward and speak up – to whistle blow! To report poor performance.  

Imagine, you have lived your whole life as a worthy human being, adhering to the law, working, maybe bringing up a family, but then you become ill. You lose your capacity to reason and make decisions. You slowly sink into another world. Nothing is as it used to be. But you still have feelings, you still feel pain, emotionally and physically, and you certainly feel fear. You are still you – you are just different to what you used to be.

I was moved to tears by the treatment of this poor lady who was filmed being hit and physically abused by an uncaring, male carer. He received an 18 months prison sentence. Too lenient? I should say so! Let’s hope he is deported back to the Philippines after he has served his time. Our care sector will be better off that’s for sure.

Thankfully this particular lady was moved and is now much happier and safer. 

With dementia, the attention to personal detail is so important. When someone can’t tell you want they want, it is up to the care staff to gather that information and record  it. Either from the family of the resident or from other carers. It’s basic human rights and dignity.

Feeling pretty hot under the collar about this, I was delighted to read in the Kentish Gazette today that the East Kent Hospitals have launched their Dementia Champions programme. This includes a simple concept – a ‘This is Me’ book where the likes and dislikes of the patient are recorded. Thank goodness there is something to feel good about.

Kentish Gazette Article

Trisha

This week: Compliance Workshops for the Care Sector

My goodness! It has been a very busy week. Chichester, Bournemouth and Birmingham have all been on the agenda over the past 5 days so I am looking forward to some time at home with the family this weekend.

Before that, just wanted to tell you about a great day I had at Grange Hill House, Halesowen, Birmingham who kindly hosted a Compliance Workshop that I delivered.

This time I worked with a diverse group of people who had come together from different homes in the area. This time they were managers from small homes for Adults with Learning Disabilities. I thought that the problems and issues would be very different from those from care homes for the elderly, but it was quite apparent that the issues that they shared with me and the group were just the same.

One area that came up was capacity, which is just the same with adults with learning disabilities as in many cases with the elderly, especially those suffering from dementia. How to judge the capacity for residents to make their own decisions is always a hot topic and was certainly high on the agenda this week.

I really enjoy facilitating these workshops. The most satisfying thing is to see the group start to interact with each other and realise that they are not alone in their concerns. It was great to see them swapping contact details to keep in touch.

You know, once again it has come to my attention that when you come to compliance, the issues are the same no matter what the size of the company. Whether staff levels are at 4 or 400, the same compliance outcomes are still required.

Another busy time ahead next week. On Wednesday I am facilitating a workshop for the NCA - Demonstrating Evidence for Compliance. It starts at 11 am. If you are interested in going or sending staff, details are on the NCA website here.

If you are interested in arranging a Compliance Workshop to be held at your premises, please feel free to contact me through my website page.

Training Day at Singleton

Had a great training session with the team at Singleton Care Home in Ashford this week. My brief was to go through the CQC Provider Compliance Assessment Tool. I thoroughly enjoyed talking through the issues with the team and the feedback proved that they also enjoyed the day and learned a great deal.

In my view, it is of paramount importance to take time out to give training and away days for staff. Thanks to the Singleton team for a great day.

Trisha

Hats Off to Norlington

Over the past year I have had the great privilege of working with the Norlington Care Home in Bournmouth, Dorset. They really do deserve a shout out and and great big well done. It is so refreshing to work with such a dedicated team of people who care passionately about the quality of care that they give.

Over the months I have been advising the owners about their  procedures and together we have put together action plans and everyone involved is now reaping the benefits!

Thanks for a great visit yesterday. Great work! Good to be part of the team.

Trisha

Early Intervention So Important

I was really sad to read today of a care home that is having it’s residents removed following numerous warnings from the CQC in Ely, Cambridge. (http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Ely/Council-acts-to-move-residents-from-care-home-04042012.htm).  I am sad for the residents and also the staff who will now be looking for jobs and probably adding to the long list of unemployed.

My job is to work with homes long before they reach that stage.

There are thousands of homes in the UK, all of which have to follow quality guidelines for safeguarding the residents and staff. Problems are well documented. Hardly a day goes by where there are not articles relating to homes that are falling below standard.

But there are some amazing homes out there giving people excellent care in their twilight years. You just don’t hear about them in the news that often. I know they are there because I work with them and I see devoted staff and contented residents.

But I must say that I do tend to visit homes when they are at their lowest and going through difficult times. Quite often the owners are overwhelmed and do not know which way to turn for help. I come in with fresh eyes and the knowledge to be able to see a clear pathway to, most of the time, turn things round.

The key thing for all care home owners is to make sure they ask for help early enough. I would always advocate a regular audit to spot any failings early on, before the non-compliance issues start to stack up. My job is to look at the systems and procedures that homes have in place and then work with the home owners to make sure they stack up to the standards required.

It’s a simple process, yet can be life saving for homes – literally.

Trisha

(Trisha King is a specialist providing support and solutions for the care sector. www.trishaking.co.uk.)