Yahoo News Family share shocking photos of pensioner, 98, after she was attacked in bed at care home
These shocking images show the injuries suffered by a 98-year-old great-grandmother after she was attacked by a fellow care home resident.
Monica Holt was left with bruising and swelling to her face and body after she was assaulted while asleep in her bed.
The retired nurse’s family decided to share photographs of her injuries after being ‘disgusted’ by the response of the care home in the wake of the assault, which is being investigated by police.
Mrs Holt, who struggles to speak, gestured to her family the punching movements to her face during the incident, which happened at Heathercroft Care Home in Warrington, Cheshire, where she has lived for the last four years.
Bosses at the home – which last year received a ‘requires improvement rating’ – say they are taking the incident ‘very seriously’ but the family, who are now seeking legal action, claim they weren’t contacted until eight hours after the attack.
The attack happened at around 4am while Mrs Holt was asleep in her bed at the care home on December 13 last year.
Her grandson Lance Holt, 46, said he was shocked when he first saw her after the attack, saying: “When they called I was just told she had bruising to her face. I was disgusted as it’s on her file that I can be contacted 24 hours a day.”
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The family sent a letter of complaint to the 88-bed care home – which specialises in Alzheimer’s care – but say they have not yet received a reply.
Lance initially shared the photos on Facebook, writing: “This is my grandmother who is 98 years old. She is 99 in February and was attacked at 4am while asleep in her bed in the care home where she should have been safe.
It went on: “This was done by another male resident while she was asleep in her bed at 4am. May I also add that I have nothing but respect for the staff at Heathercroft as they have been fantastic.”
Lance added: “My grandmother knows what has happened but she is not in a state where she can sit there and have a conversation with you. She will gesture and she has shown me the punching movements to her face.”
He said he is fighting for justice for his grandmother, who remains at the home, adding: “It’s not about money and it’s not about compensation. She can’t fight for herself. She can’t even have a conversation. If I don’t do anything then I won’t be doing her justice.”
The care home had been ordered to improve in December after inspectors found that a ‘significant’ shortage in staff had led to a number of failures.
Regulator the Care Quality Commission has been informed of the incident and advised Lance to contact the police.
Nigel Denny, managing director of Ashberry Healthcare, which runs the home, has confirmed that an investigation is underway.
A Cheshire Police spokesman confirmed they have received a report of an assault and investigations are ongoing.
