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Dementia-sufferer, 78, evicted from care home after 'unauthorised' visit from her daughter

George Martin
Updated ·2-min read
Elizabeth Bow talking to relatives on the phone through the closed window of her care home. (SWNS)
Elizabeth Bow talking to relatives on the phone through the closed window of her care home. (SWNS)

A dementia-stricken great-grandmother has been evicted from a care home after her daughter paid her an “unauthorised” visit.

Elizabeth Bow was ordered to leave Aspen Hill Village in Leeds after daughter Denise Hobbs, 53, spoke to her through an open patio door last month.

The home said Hobbs broke their visiting policy, put in place to protect residents from coronavirus, with the visit.

In a statement issued on Tuesday Aspen Hill Village confirmed they have asked the 78-year-old to leave, adding that the decision was made with "regret".

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A spokesman for the home said they are working with the council to find an “alternative placement”.

"The resident was asked to leave because her family refuses to comply with our visiting policy,” the spokesman said.

"We appreciate that restrictions placed on visiting is exceptionally difficult for our residents and their loved ones.

She was a resident at Aspen Hill carehome in Leeds. (Getty)
She was a resident at Aspen Hill carehome in Leeds. (Getty)

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"However, we have a duty of care to ensure the safety of all our residents and to minimise the risk of transmission of the virus into our homes.

"This requires us to follow government guidance which restricts visiting.

"Unfortunately, despite the family having signed their agreement to our visiting policy following their mother’s admission in April 2020 and attending several meetings to discuss visiting, the family have repeatedly breached our Covid-19 visiting policy, placing their mother, our other residents and staff at risk of harm.

Denise Hobbs and mother Elizabeth Bow. (SWNS)
Denise Hobbs and mother Elizabeth Bow. (SWNS)

Hobbs said her mother had “become the victim” in the situation and she had fallen foul of a sudden rule change at the home.

She claims she and her and her siblings have frequently gone to see Elizabeth throughout the pandemic.

"I have completely lost trust in the home, I don't see how they can justify a decision like this,” Hobbs said.

"My mum is innocent but has become the victim."

She added: "While this pandemic was going on we had permission to go and see my mum, but then it stopped all of a sudden.

"All I want to do is see my mum, having that contact is so important. Now it's gone."

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