Dementia sufferer tied down at Wolverhampton care home
A care worker used a bedsheet to tie an 87-year-old woman to her bedroom chair at the Wolverhampton care home he worked in.
The elderly dementia sufferer was found restrained at Aldergrove Manor Care Home, Penn Road, after being left by Archibald Diaz. Wolverhampton Court heard the 43-year-old, who admitted neglect, tied her down to prevent her wandering and injuring herself.
Mrs Jane Yeomans, prosecuting, said that Diaz "loosely" tied the woman to the chair with a bedsheet around her wrists shortly after 7am on July 26.
She was found by staff about 40 minutes later, after the defendant had finished his shift.
Mrs Yeomans added: "She was found in the bedroom armchair, tied to the chair and in a distressed state.
"There were no visible injuries but she was quiet for a few days after."
The court heard that Diaz had worked there for six years. The woman who was tied to the chair was described as someone who was "confused" and had previously injured herself walking off.
The court heard that Diaz, of Bickford Road, Fallings Park, Wolverhampton, tied the woman to the chair to stop her standing up but had forgotten to untie her.
Diaz's case was adjourned for sentencing on February 21. District Judge Michael Wheeler said a prison sentence was possible.
A spokeswoman for the home said: "We are appalled by the behaviour that Mr Diaz has admitted to.
"We want to assure all residents, relatives and friends of the home that as soon as these allegations were reported, the home contacted the Care Quality Commission and Wolverhampton
City Council Safeguarding Team, commenced an internal investigation. Mr Diaz has since been dismissed."
