AN EX-Coronation Street actress has posted a shocking video of her mum being arrested for trying to free her 97-year-old gran from a care home for lockdown.
Ylenia Angeli, 73, was visiting her elderly mum in Humberside after family had failed to see the pensioner for nine months during the pandemic.
But when she told staff she planned to care for her at home during lockdown the home called cops – who then HANDCUFFED Ylenia and locked her in a car.
Ms Angeli’s daughter Leandra Ashton, a former Coronation Street actress, filmed the harrowing incident as her grandmother sat helplessly in the front of the family car.
She told the stricken OAP “Nan I love you and we are going to fight for you.”
The heartbreaking scenes have led to calls for a review of the Government’s policy on visits to elderly people in care homes.
FAMILY HEARTACHE
Qualified nurse Ylenia said: “Tried to visit my 97-year-old mother today and was ARRESTED as I could no longer bear her deterioration and forced my way into the home.
“I was able to put my arms around my mother and tell her how much I loved her.
“The home called the police!!! I was released eventually as the police said it was due to emotions running too high. What are we coming to?
“We seriously need to fight this on all fronts! I’m 73 and was handcuffed and put into a police car and told I was to be taken to the police station.
“Is this REALLY happening? Unfortunately it is. And its only going to get worse.”
She added: “My daughter hadn’t realised she was still filming when I was put into the police car and her distress is reflected in the car window. She was distraught!
“This has definitely got to stop. The collateral damage to families is more than devastating. It’s totally destructive.
“Feel sick to my stomach and couldn’t sleep last night. My daughter is the same but we will continue to fight with a fierce love for all our loved ones incarcerated in ‘care’ homes.”
Her actress daughter Leandra, who played Saskia Larson in Corrie, posted: “Yesterday my 73-year-old mum pushed into the care home to hug my 97-year-old Grandma who has dementia.
“She then quietly wheeled her out. My Mum, is a trained nurse and wishes to care for my Nan at home.
“We only have Power of Attorney for my Nan’s finances. Not for her wellbeing.
“Before lock down we could overcome this by visiting my Nan regularly. Now we can’t.
KAFKA-ESQUE NIGHTMARE
“My Mum was arrested because she refused to take my Nan back to the care home.
“It feels like we are living in the worst Kafka-esque nightmare. People in masks coming to take your relative away from you.
“I find myself for the first time in my life on the wrong side of the law.
“I have tried to go through all the ‘official channels’ – written countless letters to MPs, Public Health, the Care home…
“I have signed petitions, spoken to social workers, we raised a ‘safe-guarding’ concern at the beginning of lockdown due to my Nan’s clear deterioration but this was inexplicably dropped and ‘disappeared’.
“When she became ill at the care home and was admitted to hospital we asked that she not go back.
“Yet she was discharged from hospital behind our backs and without our consent.
“When your voice feels lost in a labyrinth of bureaucracy, when you are informed by the police that you are not on your relative’s relevant paper work(!!), when the system is so clearly failing, we have to stand up and reform it.
“The police were as kind as they could be, they had a hard job. I thank them for trying their best and de-arresting my Mum so we could go home together.
“The issues are with the ‘guidelines’ and with so much fear preventing creative problem solving. Relatives need to be given key-worker status.
“They need to be allowed into their relative’s private bedroom to visit, feed and care for their loved ones.
“It is my hope that if enough of us live from our hearts, act from our hearts and speak our truth fearlessly from our hearts, this inhumane situation will come to an end.”
It comes on the day it was announced care home visits can take place during the national lockdown from tomorrow.
Visits can only take place outdoors, through windows or in personal protect equipment covered pods during lockdown.
After today’s incident in York, Assistant Chief Constable Chris Noble, from Humberside Police, said: “These are incredibly difficult circumstances and we sympathise with all families who are in this position.
“We responded to a report of an assault at the care home, who are legally responsible for the woman’s care and were concerned for her wellbeing.
“As was our legal duty, we returned the lady to the home and a 73-year-old woman who was initially arrested was de-arrested and allowed to return home with her daughter.
“We understand that this is an emotional and difficult situation for all those involved and will continue to provide whatever support we can to both parties.”
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.hellofaread.com/soap-opera/eastenders-christmas-death-fears-as-sharon-watts-pictured-grieving-in-a-cemetery/
