Esda denies allegations of abuse of elderly woman
A viral post on social media is spreading like wild fire on the alleged abuse of Florence Combrinck (82) at Esda Frail Care in New State Area on Monday.
According to the allegations an 82-year-old resident was found bleeding under a tree.
She allegedly informed a family member she was assaulted by one of the staff members.
“We deny all allegations that any of our employees have caused any harm to the resident, either physically or emotionally,” says Petro Burr-Dixon, the administrator at Esda.
Combrinck’s family took her to the frail care centre on November 9 and claimed their mother has Alzheimers disease.
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Esda staff noticed Combrinck had several bruises on her body.
Burr-Dixon says they asked the family if they knew about the bruises or how she sustained her bruises. The family could not provide an answer.
Centre protocol is to document the bruises in the resident’s file, which is exactly what was done.
She says they have also requested the family to take their mother to a psychiatrist for proper evaluation and to enable the nursing staff to give the correct prescribed medication.
The family allegedly refused the request and left their mother at the centre.
According to Burr-Dixon since Combrinck was admitted she has regularly been extremely aggressive which is a usual symptom of Alzheimers and other related forms of dementia.
“On all occasions we dealt with the resident in the least intrusive manner and took the necessary steps to ensure her safety and well-being.
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“However, we did notice on various occasions that the resident sustained injuries from day to day activities,” she says.
Combrinck, accompanied by a registered nurse, was taken to a local psychiatrist on Monday who diagnosed her with dementia and prescribed the necessary medication.
Burr-Dixon says they have since administered the prescribed medicine.
Combrinck’s aggressiveness has been kept at bay and it appears that she has not sustained any more injuries.
The centre prides itself on taking extreme care of their patients and treat them with dignity, love and respect which all senior citizens deserve.
“We have for many years dealt with patients who are diagnosed with Alzheimers and other forms of dementia and have always had a reputation of properly caring for our patients,” says Burr-Dixon.
Charl Senekal, Combrinck’s grandson and family spokesman, says the family has made no allegations against Esda Frail Care and that the family is happy with the care Combrinck has received.
Senekal claims the allegations on social media are unfounded and that the origin thereof cannot be determined.
