Facebook and Care Homes.

I just looked at the FB page for a care home we considered for my mother before a nursing home became inevitable. The FB page is full of the sort of photographs described in the original post. I am appalled that these images of vulnerable elderly people are public, for the whole world to see. Even if the residents/relatives consented I wonder if they were aware of the full implications. My mother's nursing home put photos in an internal newsletter circulated to residents and relatives only. We shared our own images privately with other relatives. I am surprised that the CQC do not pay more attention to this.

CariadAgain

Mixed feelings. There are some dire ones around and I know it's proven difficult to get a normal website with a selection of photos of the interior up on some of them and that makes me suspicious that they are amongst the dire ones. Sometimes one can tell by the charge - ie where I live now I've been gobsmacked to see some charging around £500 per week (as I know that will mean dire to start with - given it's my understanding that decent ones are more likely to charge £1,000 or more a week) - but yep....one needs a looksee to help assess standards.

So I would tend to think it's a safeguard for the residents for a selection of photos to be shown - so the surroundings can be assessed, one can maybe pick up clues how the residents are treated, etc.

When someone had to choose a nursing home for my father back in 2020 (just prior to that Lockdown as it turned out in the event) I wanted all the info I could get from afar to help suss them out (and that included photos). One could tell quite a lot just by literally viewing and, when I went back to see the ones that remained on my list after sussing out online as far as possible = one got ruled out instantly literally as I walked down the drive and looking inside revealed I couldnt spot a sign of any of the residents and there was just one apologetic-looking member of staff to be seen (I think she knew I'd decided against before I even walked in the front door).

£500 a week is an utter bargain, I’ve had a friend recently go into care and it’s £1800 a week (Wiltshire)

I didn’t think of myself as - a frail old person because I live in a nursing home, how nasty can GransNet get ?

A local day Center near me posts lots of photos and videos of everyone having so much fun I v always thought how lovely it was to see your mum /dad or whoever is having a nice fun time and a general good day
It’s often of them getting a big cake and singing happy birthday or of an entertainer singing to them they all look as if they have a wonderful time.
I would have loved to see my mum having a good time and mum would have loved having her photo taken instead of me constantly wondering if she was happy as she couldn’t tell me Of course there should always be an opt out clause

Apple3pie

Mojack26
sodapop

I can't see what is so undignified, degrading or embarrassing about being seen in public as an old/frail person. Why should they be hidden away like they are an embarrassment to their family or society in general? I'm happy for every single person who is having a good time in a care home and wants to show it to the world.

Exactly Apple3pie this is the most eyeopening thread in a long time, so many people living in a world from the 30s/40s I think you need to get out more, life has seriously changed since then thankfully!!

Apple3pie I feel its exploitative and using the pictures to advertise the care home.
No criticism is being levelled at the care staff but perhaps at the management.

TakeThat7

For some reason so many people seem biased against care homes It's unlikely they wouldn't get permission for photos of residents Some decent people work in care homes and a few not But that's the same in hospitals and hospices and nurses Old people can be very manipulative but there word is often taken rather than a carers because carers are low paid and not given a decent training because they are just carers it's not an easy job

I have great respect for people who work in care homes. Poor pay, long hours and hard work. Obviously some workers get on with residents better than others but over all they do a great job.

All the staff in Mum’s care homes were lovely and so kind to Mum and in her final days they were wonderful and read to her, played gentle music and kept her looking beautiful.

I agree with OP, this is a worrying trend. OK you may have the resident's permission but quite a lot of them won't have competency to give consent, that's why they need residential care.

It just seems like commoditisation of old people, using them to advertise a business that they call their home. Most people of my generation regard home as somewhere safe from the gaze of the world. So should their homes in residential care be, as far as practicable.
As a guarantee of the home's reputability, photos selected & posted by the home are nearly worthless. Much better to do a couple of personal visits.

For some reason so many people seem biased against care homes It's unlikely they wouldn't get permission for photos of residents Some decent people work in care homes and a few not But that's the same in hospitals and hospices and nurses Old people can be very manipulative but there word is often taken rather than a carers because carers are low paid and not given a decent training because they are just carers it's not an easy job

Mojack26
sodapop

I can't see what is so undignified, degrading or embarrassing about being seen in public as an old/frail person. Why should they be hidden away like they are an embarrassment to their family or society in general? I'm happy for every single person who is having a good time in a care home and wants to show it to the world.

* consent has NOT been given Grrrr Edit button PLEASE!

sodapop

I find it appalling that these pictures are posted on social media. By all means have the pictures available for family and friends but not for the wider public. I used to run residential care homes and would have considered this an infringement of the person's dignity and privacy. Of course my career was prior to the widespread use of social media etc so my views may be considered old fashioned. If I lived in one of these care homes I most certainly would not want my life displayed in this way.

I understand this, but lots of people don’t mind, I see no issue whatsoever UNLESS 1) it’s a safeguarding issue and 2) consent has been given.

The world we grew up in isn’t the one on which we now live.

There’s a dark and a good side to all online activity, it’s up to all of us to ensure safeguarding is always at the forefront of everything, from our children to our parents and any vulnerable people we might know.

sodapop

I find it appalling that these pictures are posted on social media. By all means have the pictures available for family and friends but not for the wider public. I used to run residential care homes and would have considered this an infringement of the person's dignity and privacy. Of course my career was prior to the widespread use of social media etc so my views may be considered old fashioned. If I lived in one of these care homes I most certainly would not want my life displayed in this way.

They wouldn't use your photo if you didn't give consent but don't see why that should mean others can't give consent if it is what they want.

I find it appalling that these pictures are posted on social media. By all means have the pictures available for family and friends but not for the wider public. I used to run residential care homes and would have considered this an infringement of the person's dignity and privacy. Of course my career was prior to the widespread use of social media etc so my views may be considered old fashioned. If I lived in one of these care homes I most certainly would not want my life displayed in this way.

I hate these. I think they are degrading and embarrasing. I also wonder if they have the capacity to consent to this beeing posted. I do not find them cute,funny or anything else in fact the complete opposite.

Caleo

This alarms me! Care homes often shelter people who aren't in a fit state to consent to publicity.

Fit state??? if they do not have capacity the family will have given consent knowing what their loved ones would have agreed to or not. It is common practice these days and I personally think is a really good thing. Community awareness is everything, care homes are normal life these days. 1 in 5 of us over 80 will be there one day.

theworriedwell

Primrose you said you wouldn't be happy, I was just pointing out that how you would feel would be irrelevant if your mother had capacity and consented. Adults with capacity have a right to make their own decisions.

I agree and it'snot just elderly people 'in homes'

I always have tried to remind myself that my own daughter in care who doesn't have mental capacity STILL has the right to make her own choices. I know it's difficult for families though.

People in care shouldn't be hidden away anyway but there are not enough hours in the day for this discussion

JaneJudge

and before I'm asked, outside people offer services for free, make donations etc

as long as it's all consented to, I don't have a problem tbh

Exactly. Lots of infantalising of elderly people going on.

Primrose you said you wouldn't be happy, I was just pointing out that how you would feel would be irrelevant if your mother had capacity and consented. Adults with capacity have a right to make their own decisions.

Block them! Have they got permission to show the residents?
I would feel very uncomfortable at seeing this intrusion into their lives!
Not acceptable to publish on social media

and before I'm asked, outside people offer services for free, make donations etc

as long as it's all consented to, I don't have a problem tbh

I think it is always useful to remember 'residents' have their own voice and transparency from care providers is good, not bad

There is a residential care home near me that posts on facebook. I imagine it also brings in revenue for the residents

Oreo

Galaxy

But we don't know they haven't given their permission?
I hate having my photo taken so would have said no but others feel differently.
I would be surprised if permission hadn't been asked for possibly I am naive.

Both residents and family would have been asked for permission I should hope.

Glad you popped on Oreo.

theworriedwell

Primrose53

I am glad I am not the only one concerned about this.

A good care home would never post photos of residents on social media without their permission.

There is a very posh newly opened home in our nearest home which looks like a hotel and charges about £1500 a week. Just last week they posted photos of some residents all dressed up and wearing bright pink wigs as they were involved in some sort of rock and roll event. I found it really creepy and would not have been happy if my late Mum had been photographed like that.

But your mum might have been enjoying herself and happy for the photograph to be used. As long as she had capacity it would have been her choice not yours.

Try re reading posts. Did I say it was my choice?
Stop nit picking.

Carehomes would have to be crazy not to be aware of GDP and documented permission. However, they may have permission of family or whoever acts on behalf of someone with dementia etc. My husband hates the idea of his photo being put on Facebook etc and would not have given permission for his Mum when she was in care. Its wise, as with so many things, to make sure you make it clear to your family while you have capacity if you would object to such things. I have worked in elderly care and have seen family's agree to ' mum's having her hair done once a week by a hairdresser who only seems to be able to do a Queen Elizabeth shampoo and set to ladies who would never have chosen that previously.