The widow of a dementiasufferer is calling for more protections for family carers to be established after a carer stole close to $20,000 in cash and goods from her home.
Erina’s Sue George first enlisted the services of Bronwyn Jones in 2018 to help her care for husband Bill, but when more than $18,000 in cash was stolen from a locked draw George grew suspicious of her and installed security cameras around the property. To George’s horror, the cameras caught Jones stealing cash, food and alcohol and instances of mistreatment of her husband.
“The cameras captured Bronwyn going into my wallet and taking money while I was busy bathing Bill, as well as food and bottles of champagne from our freezer and fridge. “There was also footage of her forcibly pushing him down into his chair when he tried to sit up and of her eating parts of his meals. “It was so distressing to watch, to see someone who you’ve trusted to care for your loved one, who you’ve invited into your home and who’s services you’re paying for do that, it was just shocking.
“It beggars belief,” George said. In the ensuing investigation, police determined that large deposits in Jones’ bank account were most likely the stolen money. Initially Jones denied the allegations, telling police the deposits were from wins on the pokies, but when the case made it to Gosford Local Court her tune had changed, with the 51-year-old pleading guilty to five counts of larceny and admitting she was struggling with a gambling problem.
Jones is now due for sentencing in September, but for George and her family the ordeal is still raw following Bill’s death in July.
“I feel violated and knowing what Bill endured and his recent passing has only added to my family’s sorrow. “I also feel guilty that I wasn’t able to protect him from this unfortunate carer,” George said. To help shield families like hers from a similar experience, George is now pushing to see more protections enshrined for carers caring for a loved one in their own home who bring in outside carers to assist.
“Broadly speaking, the legislation doesn’t go far enough to ensure these outside carers are reliable people. “All that’s involved is a police background check, but as Bronwyn used to say, just because you’ve passed a background check doesn’t mean you’re not a thief, it just means you haven’t been caught,” George said.
Dilon Luke