Care Home Found at Fault in Choking Death of Young Man

A care home in Foxton Beach has been determined to have breached the rights of a man in his late twenties who tragically succumbed to choking while being fed by a healthcare assistant. This incident, which occurred in 2022, prompted an investigation by Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Carolyn Cooper, who concluded that the Lonsdale Total Care Centre failed to provide adequate care and skill in managing the man’s health needs.

The individual was admitted to the care facility in 2021 for hospital-level respite care due to complications from multiple sclerosis and various mental health issues. He also suffered from poor vision and required assistance with all daily living activities. According to the commissioner’s findings, the care centre should have identified the risk of choking much earlier and developed a comprehensive care plan to ensure his safety.

Many staff members at the Lonsdale care home were familiar with the man and generally responded well to his needs. However, the investigation revealed a lack of documented information available to caregivers. This gap in communication and record-keeping contributed to the inadequate management of his care.

In addition to the choking incident, the man’s family raised concerns about his personal hygiene. They stated that he had not been showered for six months and had been confined to bed due to a broken hoist. The care home contended that he was washed daily, asserting that he did not consent to showering, even though staff encouraged him to do so. They indicated that he was sometimes helped to use a standing hoist to exit his room, primarily for activities like smoking.

The standing hoist, while functional, presented challenges for staff due to the man’s involuntary body movements, complicating safe transfers. Cooper accepted these explanations as plausible and acknowledged that the staff were respecting the man’s wishes.

Despite these factors, the investigation highlighted a significant issue regarding the care home’s failure to keep up with nursing assessments and to update care plans that acknowledged the man’s increasing frailty and risk of airway obstruction. Cooper noted that the Lonsdale Total Care Centre had made substantial improvements in updating care plans and enhancing its systems since the incident.

Cooper commended the facility for its appropriate apology to the family and for promptly committing to improvements in safety and quality of care. The findings underscore the critical need for care homes to prioritize comprehensive care plans that effectively address the evolving needs of vulnerable residents.