Carer caught slapping elderly dementia patient let off with warning
Two sisters’ worst fears were confirmed when they set up a hidden camera that showed their elderly mother, who is suffering dementia, being physically abused by her carer.
Not long after Gina Owen left her 78-year-old mother alone at home while heading off to work, her sister Mandy watched in horror as she saw the footage streaming live on her mobile phone.
The secret cameras at the home in Northamptonshire, UK, showed Sabina Marsden sitting on her couch keeping her legs warm, as her carer Stacey George, 46, sat next to her.
Moments later, the carer can be seen slapping Mrs Marsden’s face repeatedly and shouting "you stink" at her, before snatching the blanket from her legs.
The patient’s daughter was so enraged she left work immediately to confront the carer and dismiss her.
Ms George apologised, saying “I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry,” according to The Sun.
Despite Ms George being fired by her employer, Mega Care, following the June 13 incident, Mrs Marsden’s family was furious the former carer was only given a caution by the Northamptonshire Police after admitting the assault.
Ms Owen said: "It's nothing more than a slap on the wrist, I can't get my head around it.
"If I had hit her that day I would have been a lot worse off than her. She should never have got off with a caution.”
The family became suspicious when Mrs Marsden’s overall health was deteriorating significantly. They initially thought it could have been due to her dementia, but set up the cameras at the advice of an independent carer.
Ms Owen said her mother’s health had improved drastically since her former carer had been dismissed, and Mrs Marsden has since started talking more, and eating and sleeping better.
“You used to walk in and she would grab hold of your hand really tight," she said.
"My mum is a wonderful person and deserves so much better than this. She has been living through hell."
Mega Care's chief operating officer Winner Lawal said the company was “gravely disheartened” by the allegations.
"We are appalled and disgusted by the actions of this ex-staff member,” Mr Lawal said.
"There was no prior indication that this staff member was capable of these heinous acts."
He said an investigation concluded Mega Care had implemented all required prevention procedures and were working with governing bodies to ensure the ex-employee would not have the opportunity to repeat her actions.
Adding insult to injury, Mrs Marsden’s family say they have received a bill from Mega Care which they are refusing to pay.
The family is now taking legal action.
