A Fife woman has criticised the Care at Home service after she had to get help from an elderly relative to tend to her mother, who had been violently sick.
Jane Findlay, 58, said carers had just left five to 10 minutes before her mum Betty, 86, became ill.
She tried to summon help with the community alarm as she cannot move Mrs Findlay, who has had a stroke, on her own.
“They phoned me back five minutes later to say they could not get anyone from the community alarm team or Home Care team at that time.
“You cannot have someone sitting like that; it was terrible and I had to phone my auntie, who is 69, to give me a hand.”
Miss Findlay said it was the first time in the seven years since the community alarm was installed in her mother’s home in Methil that she has used it.
“I feel I did not get any help whatsoever. I think it is disgraceful, you cannot have someone sitting like that.She could have been sitting dirty for hours waiting for a response.”
Fife Council’s Care Home manager said they had ensured staff were sent out as soon as possible but had been unable to go to help immediately.
Care Home services manager Cindy Graham said: “We always try to ensure that we respond to requests for additional care where we can.”
She said Mrs Findlay receives two scheduled home care visits from Fife Health and Social Care’s Care At Home service.
“On October 25 Miss Findlay requested an additional visit to assist with personal care after the carers had carried out the scheduled morning care.
“At the time of this request the Care at Home team were attending to other service users and the mobile emergency care team were dealing with emergency calls.
“We are sorry we could not assist at the time, but ensured a visit was made by care staff as soon as possible.”
