RELATIVES of Kirralee Nursing Home residents had mixed feelings last night after attending a meeting to hear of tough sanctions placed on the facility.

While some said the meeting was "angry" and their questions were not answered in full, others were glad to see action being taken.

Many avoided the waiting media pack with a quick "no comment" before going to their cars.

Of those who did talk opinions varied.

One of the most outspoken was Margaret Barkas, whose 88-year-old mother Mavis is a resident of the facility.

Ms Barkas said since her mother moved to the facility she had dropped weight, and appeared dehydrated.

"She has dementia. She doesn't know anyone and because she has dementia, she can't tell me what is wrong, that's why I have to keep watching her," she said.

"I saw her two weeks ago. I come on a regular basis. I take photos every time I come here. She was very frail and it's very upsetting for me because she was a very independent person but now she just sits there now in her chair.

"She has just deteriorated."

Relatives said it was not the efforts of staff being questioned, but management.

"My mum is incontinent, she never smells and her room is always very nice," Ms Barkas said.

Joanne Lawrence, whose 75-year-old aunt is at Kirralee, said under-staffing was the biggest issue many people raised at the meeting.

"My aunt is quite well cared for in the facility," she said.

"It's a system failure that has happened at the home.

"Quite a lot of people were (angry) about the care (their relatives) were receiving and there was particular concern about staffing levels and what has happened since management took over in September last year."

Kaye Jarkowiec, whose 78-year-old mother-in-law is inside the facility, said management dodged questions.

"They were going round in circles," she said.

"I stated in there at one stage that I believe there needs to be one extra staff member per shift ... I am a div two nurse and I wouldn't work in aged care and people do leave in droves because of the demands."

Source: The Courier - James Kelly