ABUSE in the Care
Home.
CASE STUDY ACTIVITY TRAINING
RESOURCE
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The Potential for abuse in the Care
Home
Miriam is a care assistant at Sunnyside
Residential Home. She has worked there for
five years and is quite happy with her role.
The question is.. Are her clients happy with her
role?
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Mrs Sandhurst
6.30am Miriam walks into Mrs Sandhurst’s
room without knocking and says,
“C’mon Maggie, lets get your carcass out of
bed. There’s only two of us on this morning
so we’re having to start early.”
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Henry
6.45am Henry rings the buzzer and asks if he
can be assisted to go to the toilet.
“You’ll have to wait a minute, Henry, I’ve got
Mrs Smith in the bath and the other care
assistant is busy.”
“But its urgent” says Harry
“Look, I’ll tell you what, I’ll put you on the
commode and you ring me when you’ve
finished.”
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In the Kitchen
6.55am Miriam goes in to find the other care
assistant, Laura putting the kettle on.
“make me one will ya? I’m just going for a fag.
I’ve got Henry on the commode and Mrs
Smith is in the bath. I’ve left both doors open
so they can shout if they need anything.”
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7.15am
Miriam and Laura have finished their tea.
“can you give me a hand with Edith?” says
Laura
“yeah, lets get the old bitch out of the way
before I get Mrs Smith dressed.”
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7.20am Edith’s room
“oh blimey! You’re all tished up, Edith!” says
Miriam “why didn’t you bloody ring the bell?”
“c’mon, lets get her in the bath. Grab her under
her arms, I’ll wheelchair her to the upstairs
bathroom. There’s no hoist so we’ll have to
leg and a wing her into the bath.” says Laura
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7.35am
Mrs Smith shouts “HELP”
Henry holds his finger on his call bell.
Miriam goes into his room and takes the call
bell away from him and throws it on the bed.
“You’ll just have to wait a minute Henry, we’ve
got Edith in the bath. She’s messed herself
again.”
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8.00am
Miriam and Laura go to Mrs Smith to get her out
of the bath.
“I’m cold” says Mrs Smith
“You’ll soon get warm. I’ve brought your
clothes.” says Miriam
“But I hate that dress. It makes me itch
because its got wool in it” cries Mrs Smith
“Well, I haven’t got time to run after you. You’ll
have to put it on.” Snaps Miriam.
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8.15am
Cook comes on to start breakfast.
“Miriam” shouts cook “Henry’s on the floor!”
“he’s done that deliberately, because he knows
we’re busy!” says Miriam. “well he can stay in
his room for his breakfast!”
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QUESTIONS
How long was Henry on the commode?
What’s wrong with getting someone up at
6.30?
How long was Mrs Smith in the bath?
How was confidentiality breached?
What was wrong with the way they moved
Edith?
In what ways was Henry abused?
What other signs of abuse did you notice?
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