Swindon council criticised after elderly mother left isolated in care home

Paul Franklin says his 88-year-old mother has been left isolated in her room for nearly two weeks after the lift broke down on September 23.

Mr Franklin’s mum has been at the Espringham House sheltered accommodation for over six years and suffers from dementia.

Because of the lift breaking down residents have had to use a chairlift in the accommodation, which they struggle to use because the instructions are written too small.

Paul Franklin (Image: Paul Franklin)

Due to their mobility issues, the residents also struggle to go the stairs conventionally.

Now Mr Franklin, 64, has accused Swindon Borough Council of not caring about the elderly after his mum had a fall on Sunday morning.

But the council have rejected this suggestion, and said that staff have been helping Mrs Frankling up and down the stairs.

They added that the lift was working again on Thursday morning, after the Adver approached them for comment.

Mr Franklin’s mum suffered injuries to her head and was taken to hospital on Wednesday for a scan.

Speaking to the Adver, Paul said: “My mum is now confused, tearful and dizzy.

“The lift is one contributing factor, I firmly believe if that lift had been working my mother wouldn’t have been so anxious and distressed and probably wouldn’t have fallen.

“They say there is a chairlift, but my mum has dementia and she is too immobile to walk down the stairs.

“I have witnessed two elderly people who have no confidence attempting to use the stairs.

“They struggle down with a stick and holding onto the banister.

“I don’t feel that Swindon Borough Council know about that.

“They don’t have any realisation what dementia is."

Mr Franklin said he had complained to the council about the lift but claimed that the manager of the online complaint procedure refused to accept the complaint saying: “It was just a comment, and the case was closed.”

The father of three then rang the adult social services who told him to get in touch with the warden of the accommodation.

Paul Franklin (Image: Paul Franklin)

However, Swindon Borough Council recently withdrew permanent wardens in care homes and sheltered accommodation as part of a cost-saving measure.

Mr Franklin added: “I feel very frustrated, that lift is a lifeline for my mother to see other people and people she classes as friends.

“I am lucky that I have just retired, so I can be there.”

A Swindon Borough Council spokesman said: “We are very sorry to hear about our tenant’s fall, which took place in her flat, and our staff have been supporting her since.

“We completely understand why Mr Franklin is upset, but to say the Council does not care about the elderly is not true and does not reflect the care, compassion and support shown by our staff.

“Mr Franklin is also aware that one of our staff members had been helping his mum downstairs using the stair lift every afternoon to ensure she continued to be able to attend the daily coffee afternoons with her friends and neighbours. She was then helped back up to her flat by her tea time carers.

"Tenants were shown how to use the stair lift, including Mr Franklin’s mum. We understand this can be difficult for those with dementia, which is why our staff were on hand to help so that tenants did not become isolated.

“Our specialist lift maintenance contractor was unable to fix the lift as quickly as they would have liked as they had to order a part from Spain. We are, though, pleased to report that the lift was back working again this morning (October 6).”