Care Home

[jennyjoan]

Today I visited my friend who is in the care home. This home is situated at the top of a residential street.

Anyway friend and I came out of the entertainments room and came up on the lift to the communal room when one of the carers started screaming - I couldn't understand her but friend said that two of the patients had wandered out of the home and this particular carer saw two of them through the window dandering down the street.

The patients indeed were half way down this quite a long street (thank goodness) - two carers went tearing after them and brought them back to the home.

One of the patients was crying "I'm getting the blame" etc etc.

I know what happened - the entertainments room is right at the door way and the door was opened because of heat. The two ladies just walked through the open door.

Anyway - what do you think. Do you think the security is lax. The reception is at the entrance too but obviously no one was there.

It turned out alright but it could have been so wrong.

[Mamyalynne]

Mistakes happen sadly, a combination of events.

A lockable screen door would be a good idea, let air in but keep people safe.

[woofgang]

Is the home intended to be a secure one?

[ummmm]

Or invest in some air con!!

[bednobs]

people in care homes are not prisoners

[jennyjoan]

gulliver - what I see is enough.

Until you visit you cannot see the various "problems". Like the two ladies that had wandered were just talking to each other (not understanding) - one of the ladies started to put her hand down the cushion of the sofa and another old lady said to the both of them. "Is she trying to feel your boobs". OMG.

[jennyjoan]

thats true Bednobs but the patients all have dementia

[ubasses]

If it is standard care home, residents are free to come and go. If a Dementia Care Home the exit doors are kept locked at all times for the safety of the residents.

[ummmm]

My nan got out of her care home (she had dementia) because one of the staff on a cigarette break didn't close the back gate properly. She was found a few miles away not even knowing her name.

[ummmm]

ubasses - they still have to be signed in and out.

[bednobs]

if people are to be deprived of their liberty, they have to undergo extensive adin hoops first

[gulliver1]

Sorry jenny, I could not resist that one, about A/Bs very own Special forces, I do Apologize.

[ummmm]

They aren't deprived of their liberty though. They just need supervision.

It becomes sad when you see residents who have hardly any family to take them out.

[pixie374]

Ubasses, it is illegal to lock anyone into a home, dementia or not. Unless, as bednobs says, there Is a deprivation of liberty order. And those are given out very rarely, for exceptional circumstances and are usually very temporary.
Everyone is free to come and go as they like, unless they have either been arrested or Sectioned (under certain sections). The care staff will usually try to distract someone from leaving or at least accompany them, but they cannot be stopped an there aren't always enough staff to send, so the police have to be informed.

[Mamyalynne]

Thanks for the rules, I made my suggestion in good faith from a safety angle but without any knowledge.

[pixie374]

You're welcome x I'm always a bit two-sided about it personally. I completely agree that everyone deserves some freedom, choice and the right to make silly decisions... but that doesn't stop you panicking when they do! :-) x

[Mamyalynne]

Exactly, it would resonate with all staff if someone walked out and under a bus.

[Tilly2]

When my dad was alive, the care home he was in had a front door which was always locked with a key. When I visited, I had to ring the bell to be admitted and when I left, I had to find a member of staff to let me out.

There were some residents with dementia but not all, by any means.
Was/is it wrong of them to keep the door locked?

[pixie374]

It was, Tilly x ours had a key code on the inside of the dementia unit, and the inside of the main doors, so you ha to put in the code to get out of either. The home ended up having to remove them all (it was brand new build) because it turned out to be illegal at an inspection. They have to be allowed to leave freely.

[bednobs]

no, if people wanted to eave they coud ask to have the door opened