MidCentral District Health Board began a three-day audit of Rose A Lea Rest Home in Palmerston North on Friday after complaints about the restraint and care of 103-year-old Myra Letts.
The rest home was so squalid that it would have taken days to clean, an investigating official says.
There are also allegations that the woman had bed sores on her knees and buttocks, and unchanged bandages were left covered in faeces. Mrs Letts died on Monday from problems believed to be unrelated to her treatment.
However, her daughter, Bev Stone, told Radio New Zealand this morning that the care provided to her mother had been exemplary and "if she hadn't been there we would have lost her … five years ago."
The daughter of the 103-year-old woman tied to her bed in a rest home says care at the facility was exemplary and it should never have been shut down.
PRIVACY
She was also angry the photo had been used without the family's permission, saying it had destroyed her mother's dignity.
"It just appals me … that anybody can make a complaint like that without consulting the family first."
"We have had nothing but support and help from the rest home. They have gone the extra mile," she told Radio New Zealand.
Her mother had also spoken highly of her care, she said.
The leg-tie was a "therapeutic measure" to prevent her curling up into the foetal position, she said.
GRANDSON
Bev's son Stuart Stone told Radio New Zealand that he had worked at the home...when he worked there, a cleaner was there for up to three hours a day, refuting claims it was cleaned only once per week.
Joyce Wenmoth, the owner of the home, had visited the family on Sunday and apologised for tying Mrs Letts down, he told Radio New Zealand.
The family were getting legal advice over what action it could take, he said.
COMPLAINT
The inspection of the rest home was spurred by a complaint from Julie Ireland, a 21-year veteran of the aged-care industry.
Ms Ireland was given cellphone photos of Mrs Letts by a person who said toilets and bathrooms were cleaned only once a week and soiled clothes were poorly washed.
"Her words to me were, 'I wouldn't let my dog live in that place.' She said it was a hell-hole," Ms Ireland told Radio New Zealand. "There was no spray system, you know, to get faeces off clothing – it was just a running tap.
The incontinence bin, a container for collecting adult nappies and other sanitary products, was emptied only once a week.
The Botanical Rd rest home, owned and operated by Joyce and Bryan Wenmoth, was shut down on Saturday, but continues to be investigated for insufficient staff training, lack of registered nurse supervision and hygiene.
Rose A Lea was contracted by the health board to provide 25 rest home beds.
Mr Wenmoth would not comment yesterday: "I think we need to be given some time to ourselves. I don't think it's a matter for the media." His lawyer, Bruce Stewart, would not comment either.
The rest home's 13 residents are in alternative accommodation.
Rimu Lodge, another Palmerston North rest home owned by the Wenmoths, is also facing an inquiry.
HEALTH OFFICIALS
Health board spokesman Mike Grant said residents' safety was a big issue in closing Rose A Lea immediately.
"There was sufficient breakdown in the system of care."
There were also serious concerns about hygiene at the property, which would have "taken days to clean", he said.
Mrs Letts' family had not laid a formal complaint.
Health Minister Tony Ryall said: "The DHB appears to have acted swiftly and appropriately. No one wants older New Zealanders treated poorly." The health board appointed a temporary manager yesterday.
Martin Taylor, chief executive of the Aged Care Association – which represents rest home owners – said he understood Mrs Letts' leg was tied down to assist with faster recovery from a sore knee. "But the way that was done was probably inappropriate."
However, he said the immediate closure of the rest home was not an appropriate response.
The draft audit findings are due back in 10 working days.
NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS INCREASING
Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Rae Lamb says she has seen a "significant increase" in rest home and aged care complaints.
There were 137 complaints about rest homes in the 2008-09 year – 25 were formally investigated.
However, over the past year, complaints jumped a further 5 per cent, which Ms Lamb attributed in part to an increase in media coverage of high profile cases.
Health Ministry spokeswoman Rose Wall said 16 complaints alleging physical, verbal or sexual abuse of rest home residents had been received by the ministry since January 2008. Five complaints were substantiated.
Two providers "have been served cessation or closure notices since October 2004" [when the requirement to be certified came into force]. "A number of other service providers have closed voluntarily while under investigation by the ministry."
A further 23 complaints about rest homes are currently under investigation.
> SOURCE GREER MCDONALD and SIMON WOOD, The Dominion Post