my mum is in the last stage of alzheimers. she has carers in 3 times a day and for the last few months have been charging my father money to wash her hair. i have complained to the care agency as have my sisters but nothing has been done about it despite the care manager saying it is against all rules. i have witnessed this and it's heartbreaking. what should i do?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs G, is it possible for you to wash your mother hair? I assited in looking after my son for - 31 years and guess who, looked forward to washing his hair.

HI,

Each care agency have a complaints procedure to follow, You or someone in the family should have been given this information when you started with the agency. You go to the care agency, tell them you want to make a complaint and ask to see their complaints procedure. All care agencies have care standards inspections, ask for their contact details. Make sure they know you are not happy and you are going to go above their head. If they are doing this to your mum and dad then it's possible they are doing it to others. If someone does not take it further these carers are going to carry on abusing their position. If I was your Father I would flatly refuse to pay! IF it's part of her care package to give personal care, then these guys need reporting. If it's too much hassle for you then I would suggest changing care agencies, but someone needs to speak out.

Good luck, I hope you sort it out (if you already haven't that is)

It is obvious the care agency is not interested in the enterprise their workers participate in behind their backs.  I would consider changing this company to a reliable one.  The carers probably don't have personal insurance to cover this 'extra' duty so I would be hesitant in allowing this to continue.  You may also consider reporting this to your local authority if a care package has come from them.  Good luck and do check out these people's insurance.

You need to make sure that the request  hasnt come from your father, some carers know that some people simply need that little bit extra support and do try to do things, so if your dad wants mum to have her hair washed so she's clean and tidy and her dignity is maintained because of this, and that he cannot physically take her to the hairdressers, and if dad and the carer is happy with this and the price is reasonable then why rock the boat. especially if the carer is doing this in her time off and not during works time.  Also, its a bit of different company and probably gives your dad a bit of a break while the carer is with her.

On the other hand, if dad hasn't requested it, and the carer is simply using peoples vulnerability to make money then you should contact social services and advise this is happening and not just the agency, if you dont get a quick enough response then request the team manager  or put it in writing as councils have to respond within certain timescales when they receive something.  Also, make sure your dad realises that if the agency is contracted via social services he pays social services and not the carer direct.  If this is the case I would insist the council ensure the carer returns the money gained from dad.

 

Also, why isnt one of mums morning calls increased in time to give the morning carers time to wash her hair?  there are even methods and equipment (speak to an ot) to wash peoples hair who are bed bound, usually the social worker would make sure that when the person has an increased call for bathing or a full strip wash, that there is an extra half hour (eve if its once a week) to wash the persons hair and dry it during the same call.  ask the social worker for a reassessment to increase mums homecare times.