Hammondville: Dementia patient John Cain’s wife speaks out after alleged attack at aged care home
WARNING: Graphic images
The traumatized partner of an elderly patient who was allegedly attacked at a south-west Sydney care facility has shared her heartache for the first time.
Disturbing images of 87-year-old John Cain reveal the extent of his horrific injuries, with his face bloodied and bruised and blood running from his ear.
The alleged incident occurred around 9pm on Wednesday in the garden area of Hammond Care’s Linden Cottage in Hammondville.
Another resident of the care centre, Geoffrey Innes, 69, was arrested and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV).
Just a few days later, Leah Cain, Mr. Cain’s wife of more than six decades, told 9News that her husband’s dementia was difficult and that she believed the Hammondville facility was the best fit for him.
“I thought he was really happy there,” he said.
Ms Cain said she was disappointed after the property told her there were no cameras in the communal courtyard where the alleged assault took place.
“I think you should know that the cameras are telling the truth,” he said.
Speaking to 2GB’s Ben Fordham on Friday, Hammond Care chief executive Jenny Somerton said she was “deeply saddened” by the alleged attack.
“We don’t want to see any of our residents being harmed in any way or in any situation, and it was really upsetting, not only for me, but also for all of our staff involved,” he said.
He said the facility serves patients with “excessive and violent behavior and psychological symptoms of dementia.”
The patients were all supervised by staff and “different monitoring systems,” he said.
“We have people with extreme behaviors, and unfortunately, while we support them, there can be things and triggers in different people that can make different behaviors worse,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Innes was taken to hospital under police guard following the incident.
His matter was raised at Liverpool Local Court on Friday, where he was granted strict conditional bail to remain at home.
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