Facebook and Care Homes.

Primrose53

In the case I mentioned they may well have asked their permission but would some of the residents understand?

It looked like a couple of careworkers had posted the photos and I did wonder if management were even aware. I noticed there were some residents in the background but clearly visible sitting slumped in their chairs.

Yes, many do slump, I think you need to think about how and why these people have had to go into residential care. Many have multiple physical and mental health issues and are unable to care for themselves in any way. Sometimes I “slump” in chairs, it doesn’t indicate neglect.

I’m sure the management teams are very well aware of photos and them being posted and if the residents are unable to give consent then I’m pretty sure their relatives will have done. My DH has to consent to virtually everything, a GP visit, the local church visiting, flu and Covid vacs. I think many many homes have improved greatly in the last 10 years and those which still don’t reach the required standard required will hopefully be called out.

No one has said that this is being done without consent?

Our chain of care homes, which currently house my MiL use both fb and Instagram. They started this in COVID to keep relatives up to date with activities etc.

We are just grateful she is getting good care, is always well looked after, seems content, my DH visits three times a week and in 6 years has never had cause to worry or complain.

I occasionally go with him, it is sad, but thank goodness for these places, my MiL is 91, advanced vascular detention, mobility issues and incontinence. She is always immaculately clean, as is her room and en suite, as well as the all the lounges and corridors etc.

Last time I went we sat in the communal lounge and I observed the carers doing small exercises with the residents, one by one, using soft large balls and a portable pedal machine.

We are always offered tea and the residents all seem to be well looked after.

I certainly do hope I never have to reside there but we will see!

In the case I mentioned they may well have asked their permission but would some of the residents understand?

It looked like a couple of careworkers had posted the photos and I did wonder if management were even aware. I noticed there were some residents in the background but clearly visible sitting slumped in their chairs.

I also assume they would have asked for consent as otherwise there would be repercussions. But there is a difference between consent and fully informed consent - particularly when someone is in a care home and dependent on the staff for so much.

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.

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.

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).

So long as the residents have given properly informed consent, I suppose it's ok, but I do know what you mean, Calendargirl.

I don't like having my photo taken, and there have been times when someone else at an activity I've attended has taken group photos which have appeared online, and I'm not happy about that. People in care homes are in their 'own space', and shouldn't be filmed going about their lives unless they have agreed in advance and know where the photos will be posted.