My story

[Sally]

I have just read 'More Than 2600 Elderly Victorians Complain About Nursing Homes' and also the 'Comment'.

I will make it my business to write my story about the horrid, cruel, unjust treatment my mother got over four years, and send it to Aged Care Crisis for everyone to read.
I noticed that in the comment the writer said that complaining only meant punishment and worse treatment. I can guarantee that it does happen. We suffered four years of that, and to say it was dreadful would be kind, it was worse than anyone could imagine.
Some people have no right to be within miles of elderly people.
Whenever I talk to my husband about elderly people suffering in Nursing Homes and other horrid places he always says "They don't want them to live". He is right.

I must be honest though and say that there are some very kind, compassionate, loving people caring for the elderly against dreadful odds, and I do say "Thank you" to them and that I do appreciate all that you do.

[Administrator]

Sally, you may also be interested in some of those other figures in that annual report - the shadow Minister, Margaret May, has accused Ageing Minister Elliot as "misleading the Parliament and the public":

Pay particular attention to the wording "At 30 June 2008" It's a pity the minister didn't reveal the real figure on the remaining 364 days in her "annual report".

The Courier Mail - 17 Dec 08: Minister in public aged-care fumble

MORE than four times the number of nursing homes were found to be non-compliant in the 2007 to 2008 financial year than what was released by the Federal Government in their annual aged care report.

Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot is being accused of misleading the public and Parliament over the watered-down figures -- contained in the 2007-2008 Operation of Aged Care Act report.

In a five-page media release on the report, issued by Ms Elliot last month, it stated: "The Accreditation Agency identified 46 homes (1.6 per cent) that had some non-compliance in relation to the 33 accreditation standard outcomes''.

But after an investigation by The Courier-Mail, Ms Elliot conceded yesterday the annual figure was more than four times this amount, with 199 out of 2830 -- or 7 per cent -- failing standards.

She said the 46 homes referred to were as at June 30, 2008 only, and this was referred to in the full-version of the report.

"It read: At 30 June 2008, some 1.6 per cent (46 homes) were identified as having some non-compliance in respect to the 44 Accreditation Standards expected outcomes,'' Ms Elliot said.

"For the record, over the last financial year, 199 homes from across the country were identified as having some non-compliance.''

She refused to answer questions as to whether she thought the 46 figure was misleading.

Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency corporate affairs general manager Chris Falvey said this was the way they reported the figures each year.

He said accreditation was cyclical and the appropriate time to review the industry's performance was at June 30.

Opposition ageing spokeswoman Margaret May said an annual report should include annual figures only and accused Ms Elliot of misleading the Parliament and the public.

Agedcarecrisis.com founder Lynda Saltarellli, who has published a list of more than 100 of the nursing homes which failed standards, agreed. "What is clear is that useful information, on which public policy and democratic debate should be based, is not fully available,'' she said.

[Sally]

Thank you, yes I did read all that and it really hurts.

My sister heard Justine Elliot on ABC radio and she said that Ms Elliot was dreadful and couldn't answer the questions put to her about Aged care. She said it was "terrible".

Sally

[paulinek]

When looking for a new nursing home, my mother asked me to lie in the bed and ask for help. She said - see what happens. Perhaps the Minister for the Aged could trial nursing homes herself in this way??

[abbie]

You would think that the country's decision makers all think that they'll live forever. They don't seem to think that they will ever end up in one of these understaffed places - having to call out for help. Getting a few of them to try a few things for themselves sounds like a good idea. I once complained that my parent was left swinging in the lifting machine for over half an hour. The RN on duty made staff be lifted and left there for a while to see how it feels.

[Snappo]

Sounds like my kind of RN....good for her.

[paulinek]

Remember the film - I think - The Doctor - with William Hurt - where he becomes a patient and it changes his whole perspective.

I think carers need to spend an extra week of their 5 week training in a high care bed! Might change the world....

[nuglet]

Not too sure where to post this...

I complained about a few things regarding my Mums care and I have now received a message (2nd hand at this stage) from the owner of the facility that "if I don't like it here I can take my Mum somewhere else". I am so upset and would appreciate comments/advice.

[linda_m]

Sadly, this is not an uncommon occurrence. Some managers of homes feel very threatened about even slight criticisms about care. Good ones handle it. They take the complaint on board and deal with the situation - explaining why, if they feel the complaint is unwarranted. I don't have any easy answer as every situation is different. Things are better defused before they get too poisonous. Perhaps arranging a meeting with the owner or manager and having a proper discussion might help. Maybe having another family member with you would help - so it is not just you.

I did a lot of positive things for the nursing home my mother was in - helping in various ways so that when things were not right staff knew me and listened to my concerns. But not everyone is in a position to do this. There is always the official Complaints Scheme but many people on this forum have found that to be pretty useless.

I just hate hearing stories like this. I know there is a view in some homes that dealing with families is difficult - but it is just so wrong that people feel they can't raise concerns without threats. This is your mother and you care about her and that is good enough reason, just in itself, for people in charge to listen to you.

Maybe some of the people who read these forum posts and who work in aged care might be more help.

[paulinek]

Not too sure where to post this...

I complained about a few things regarding my Mums care and I have now received a message (2nd hand at this stage) from the owner of the facility that "if I don't like it here I can take my Mum somewhere else". I am so upset and would appreciate comments/advice.

Your story does not surprise me at all. This is exactly what happens. It's the only way that bad nursing homes can keep their numbers up - through threats and intimidation. Family of the elderly are already dealing with terrible stress levels just by having a family member in one of these homes. Most people say nothing and hope for things to improve. Some people believe it's a one-of situation. Some people stop visiting because it is too distressing. Others speak up and are punished for it. I used to think I had to speak up. Not just for my mother but for all the elderly residents who had no one around to speak up for them.

I have never been in a situation than with the nursing home where I was more intimidated and terrified. They know how to keep you in line. Even if you go to agencies that ares supposed to be there to help in these situations, I am sure you will find that nothing will change. The intmidation and threats just become more potent. You will be labelled as a trouble maker, whingey or they will turn the tables on you and accuse you of something.

Remember, it is an empty threat most likely as if you tried to move your mother, as I have, all hell will unleash on you and they will go to any lengths to keep their residency rates up. Would not look good if residents were allowed to leave. Dealing with family is not difficult. Treat the family's elderly resident like a human being and we're no trouble at all. Simple.

[nuglet]

Thanks Linda and Paulinek...I've been meaning to say thanks for the last few weeks but inbetween working full-time and going to see my Mum after work everyday and twice on Saturdays and twice on Sundays to make sure she is eating and to clean her teeth so the rest of them don't fall out I haven't had much time to reply. The message I received from the owner has remained 2nd hand so I'm trying to ignore it and do what I can for my Mum.

[paulinek]

Thanks Linda and Paulinek...I've been meaning to say thanks for the last few weeks but inbetween working full-time and going to see my Mum after work everyday and twice on Saturdays and twice on Sundays to make sure she is eating and to clean her teeth so the rest of them don't fall out I haven't had much time to reply. The message I received from the owner has remained 2nd hand so I'm trying to ignore it and do what I can for my Mum.

You're very welcome. You're right too - just do what you can for your mother. I wonder if you notice the difference your visits make? My mother is one of the most lucid people in the nursing home. She can do a crossword, laugh and talk, remember and enjoy your visit. The sad thing I realised was that she was the only one like that. There is no one for her to talk to except her carers. Most people lose their minds in the very first weeks and the change in them is terrifying. I did notice yesterday that following bad press, the nursing home had two activities going on for residents which I'd never seen before. Some kind of bingo for those who could play (a very small group) and another type of craft table with a few residents at it. Any improvement, even a small one, makes a difference. We need to keep up the pressure on nursing homes for the place to be humane and considerate of the needs of every resident.

I have just had good news of being able to move my mother to a much better nursing home. I feel very lucky to have finally achieved that after a great and stressful delay. Look around. There are good facilities about. You just have to dig for them like gold! We should not put up with bad nursing homes or they breed and then there is no choice left at all.