What Would You Do?

Interesting question.

I think 'just letting it go' shouldn't be an option.

In principle, you should intervene in the moment: the resident is distressed in the moment, and the potential danger of choking, etc, is at that time. So do you talk to the staff member, or should you decide to try and find a manager [I think preferably the person in overall charge of the care home] and have a word with her/him?

I think I would try to decide if the resident was in any danger beyond 'being distressed', and if it looked as if the answer to that was 'no', then I'd try to raise it with a manager. We don't actually know, from what has been described, if the staff member realises that what he/she is doing isn't acceptable: is it a training issue? Does all of the 'blame' rest with that individual staff member, or are there deficiencies more widely?

I think that if it is possible, you should try to be present at some future meals to see if such behaviour occurs again - if it does, then in the end you should perhaps consider raising it with the CQC.

This is - as I'm confident Liz knows - 'tricky'. And perhaps even trickier, if the resident is your own relative or friend.

It is also not something I've really considered before, and it is rather different from what I usually bang on about [as people who have looked at my posts will already know] - so what I've written is very much my immediate thoughts and rather off-the-cuff. And, I should point out, incomplete (for example, I haven't explained why it is 'trickier' if the resident is your own relative or friend, although I feel reasonably confident that my assertion is true).

I would be interested to read other responses to Liz's question.

I think everything is so wrong with care home this day and my self working in care for over 13 years have seen some horrible things from staff members and also home care managers caring for some one young or old it a massive happy privilege and should be a honor to work alongside side but when you she abuse taken place and it is your word against care work and I went through all the right steps and was not taken seriously

I think there should be an immediate intervention as there could be a risk.of choking and another related danger plus the residents are vulnerable and couldn't help themselves. Then find someone who is a team leader/Manager afterwards to look into the situation perhaps there is a need to have a word with the carers to do the right thing.

I would say , call the staff in one corner and made her aware that what she’s doing is not acceptable and undignified. She needs Dementia training or any training that might help her to develop compassion and kindness to resident. Possibly put herself in resident shoe. We did in our care home that we put googles to staff and put food in their mouth so they will
Feel whats the redident experienced in the hands of carers who’s not compassionate. If still doing it despite of reminder and taught her the right thing , its time to address to manager as it consider abuse. We need to safeguard our residents . No one else will protect them but us Carers .

I will speak with the staff and let him/her see that the resident is distressed and advised staff to take it easy and be patient and staff you understand staff needs to cover several residents.
I will speak with the service manager and share my experience and need to guide against one staff feeding several residents at the same time.
I think this is a typical management failure and lack of care for the staff responsible and risk the residents are exposed to.

If I witnessed a staff member feeding a resident too quickly and the resident looked distressed, I would step in gently if it felt safe to do so. I might say something like, “It looks like they might need a little more time to chew,” just to slow things down and make sure the resident is comfortable.

I would definitely report the incident afterward. Even if the staff were just trying to save time, that kind of rushed care isn’t okay — it can be unsafe and upsetting for the resident. They might not feel able to speak up for themselves, so it’s important that someone does.

I wouldn’t just let it go. Being busy doesn’t excuse poor care, and saying something could help prevent it from happening again — to that resident or someone else.

Letting it go is not an option as there is a risk of choking or even death for the resident being fed ib this way . The staff member needs to be stopped and corrected immediately and also the on call manager informed.

Hi, 
Good day. Can we please not to use the word feeding when supporting them with their meaks. Can we use” supported with their meals or assisted “, much dignified and they are adult not baby . Just a thought , thanks . Arlene 

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For me there looks like a bigger issue here. I would defiantly be speaking to the person in charge immediately for immediate intervention. If a member of staff is assisting a number of people eat there clearly isn't enough staff to meet the dependency of the home at that time, it could have been through pressures of staff sickness, could it be lack of staff, there are several reasons as well as staff education, knowledge, conduct and capability to consider. But yes I agree immediate intervention should be sought.

I would intervene immediately and offer to help

I would intervene by assessing for immediate danger then deciding who to speak to first either the staff member involved or the person in charge

This is a scenario I bring to dignity training and like here, it creates a good discussion. It would be good to see scenarios like this discussed in team meetings as mini training sessions.

Just that small question raises so many issues... following SALT guidelines and support plans, staff shortages and pressures, quality of care and support, how to respond to concerns, safeguarding, dignity, respect etc.

It also highlights other areas of dignity like Arlene mentioned on appropriate language. Terms such as 'feeding' and 'bibs' are still commonly used, rather than 'support' or 'clothing protector/apron'.

One of our adult learning disability day services put aprons on the back of every chair for people to use if they wish. Its a great idea as it doesn't single out those who need extra support. (you can also get some great clothing protectors that look like scarfs or items of clothing)

I like to approach someone in training and say 'lets pop your bib on' and see how it makes them feel...