A woman has shared her shock at discovering her elderly mother covered in bruises at the care facility where she resided. Mechelle McBride’s mother, Elizabeth, lived at Greyfriars Care Home in Mount Vernon, Scotland. Throughout her stay there, Mechelle observed a decline in her mother’s health and noticed unexplained bruises and injuries on her.

Elizabeth, who suffered from vascular dementia, passed away in December 2022 at the age of 81. Mechelle took legal action against the care home, resulting in a significant financial settlement for Elizabeth’s estate. The devastated daughter expressed her distress at witnessing her mother’s inadequate care at the nursing home, labeling it as “horrific.”

Wanting to raise awareness and prevent similar incidents, Mechelle reached out to the Care Inspectorate after feeling her concerns were disregarded. All her complaints were validated by the regulatory body overseeing social care services. Mechelle emphasized that her motivation was not financial gain but rather to hold the care home accountable for their actions.

Elizabeth had moved into the care home at 79 following a stroke and the onset of vascular dementia during the Covid pandemic. Despite expectations of one-on-one care, Mechelle revealed that Elizabeth experienced multiple falls, significant weight loss, and unexplained injuries while at Greyfriars.

On each visit, Mechelle noticed new bruises and injuries on her mother, which she diligently documented through photos. She recounted instances of her mother’s deteriorating physical state, highlighting inadequate care practices such as inappropriate grooming methods and unaddressed health issues.

Despite voicing her concerns to the care home management, Mechelle’s grievances went unresolved until she involved the Care Inspectorate. Their investigation confirmed multiple lapses in care, including inadequate communication and failure to address Elizabeth’s nutritional and medical needs promptly.

Seeking justice for her mother, Mechelle enlisted the services of Thompsons Solicitors Scotland, leading to a significant settlement from the care home. Her decision to speak out aims to prevent other families from enduring similar traumatic experiences caused by substandard care facilities.