Dementia family in ‘help us’ plea

THE daughter of a dementia sufferer has issued a desperate plea to health secretary Jeremy Hunt.

The Oldham woman - who doesn’t want to identify her mum - wants Mr Hunt to witness first hand the plight of those looking for suitable care for an elderly relative.

She says her family has been “to hell and back” for several years in a bid to get her 82-year-old mum into a care home she considers suitable.

She has invited Mr Hunt to visit the home and see how residents live day to day.

“I want Mr Hunt to come and put himself in my shoes,” she said. “I want him to imagine it was him trying to make these decisions for his parents.

“If I could, I would look after my mum full-time in my own home but this is not possible. So you have to put your faith in the care system.”

The daughter claims Elderly Mentally Infirm units (EMIs) “cherry pick” patients to give staff an easier life.

She said: “Twice I have tried to get my mum into an EMI only to be told she would have caused upset to other patients, she explained. “But these are supposed to be places where the highest level of care is given to those most in need - so staff should be able to cope.

“When she moved into the home she is in now I was shocked by the casual negligence of staff.

“The smell of urine is so strong you can taste it, there’s just no dignity and when it’s your parent and you have to leave them in there, it gets very stressful and upsetting.

“But there is no one looking at quality and care. These places need to be monitored much more closely. If I can spot it, surely a professional can.”