Hi, everyone. I've just joined and this is my first forum, so I am still learning what to do.
My mom is 91 and has vascular dementia. She has been in a care home since 2001. When we chose it, it was really good. We had been social workers and knew what to look for. We were very impressed with the Head of home, who was very hands-on and worked closely with the staff and residents. She knew them all really well. The staff were, by and large, very caring and supportive. Then the Home was taken over by Abbeyfield - it had previously been an independent home under the Abbeyfield umbrella. The Head of Home was taken away from the front office into the office at the top of the building and we never saw her. After some months, she resigned and the Home started to go down hill. There are a group of staff who hold the power and are intent on using it against other members of staff. They have also been nasty to residents. Money has gone missing on more than one occasion. It has been very hard on other staff members who care a lot for the residents. After a year, another manager has been appointed and we had a meeting with her to tell her our concerns. She assured us everything would change. There are now more staff, but the neglect of my mother continues. As an example, I have to cut her toenails and fingernails as the staff do not 'feel comfortable' doing it - I only discovered this one day when she took her shoes off. On Sunday, we noticed she had no soap, so we bought some. The following Tuesday, her keyworker saw me and asked me to buy her some soap as she had none. Does that mean she had not seen my mother at all that week?
We have tried complaining, but are very concerned that she would be targeted by the staff - this has happened to others.
Mom is frail and settled and knows where everything is and we have been reluctant to subject her to a big upheaval. We are now actively looking for another home for her. Does anyone have experience of moving their relative from one home to another? Any tips/advice?
It just shows that homes can be excellent when you first see them and then deteriorate rapidly.
My mom is 91 and has vascular dementia. She has been in a care home since 2001. When we chose it, it was really good. We had been social workers and knew what to look for. We were very impressed with the Head of home, who was very hands-on and worked closely with the staff and residents. She knew them all really well. The staff were, by and large, very caring and supportive. Then the Home was taken over by Abbeyfield - it had previously been an independent home under the Abbeyfield umbrella. The Head of Home was taken away from the front office into the office at the top of the building and we never saw her. After some months, she resigned and the Home started to go down hill. There are a group of staff who hold the power and are intent on using it against other members of staff. They have also been nasty to residents. Money has gone missing on more than one occasion. It has been very hard on other staff members who care a lot for the residents. After a year, another manager has been appointed and we had a meeting with her to tell her our concerns. She assured us everything would change. There are now more staff, but the neglect of my mother continues. As an example, I have to cut her toenails and fingernails as the staff do not 'feel comfortable' doing it - I only discovered this one day when she took her shoes off. On Sunday, we noticed she had no soap, so we bought some. The following Tuesday, her keyworker saw me and asked me to buy her some soap as she had none. Does that mean she had not seen my mother at all that week?
We have tried complaining, but are very concerned that she would be targeted by the staff - this has happened to others.
Mom is frail and settled and knows where everything is and we have been reluctant to subject her to a big upheaval. We are now actively looking for another home for her. Does anyone have experience of moving their relative from one home to another? Any tips/advice?
It just shows that homes can be excellent when you first see them and then deteriorate rapidly.