Alzheimers sufferer, 76, is found by her sister living among RATS, rotting food and 20 bags of rubbi

Tricia Crowther, 76, found living among rats, dog food and 20 bags of rubbish

• Her sister, Beryl Barker, went to visit when care workers stopped answering her

• Went to house in Shipley, West Yorkshire and discovered the 'smelly hell hole'

• Miss Barker, 74, says Bradford City Council care workers would rather 'take her to the pub' than give her the care she needed.

A 76-year-old woman who suffers from Alzheimer's disease was found living among rats, rotting food, and 20 bags of rubbish after months of neglect from care workers.

Tricia Crowther's home had become a hovel but it had remained unchecked until her sister Beryl Barker visited when social workers refused to answer her questions.

Mrs Barker is now demanding that Bradford City Council carry out a full case review after her notes revealed workers would rather 'take her to the pub' than give her the vital care she needed.

Mrs Crowther, a widow, lived alone and her sister had presumed that she was in good hands while she herself was in hospital and unable to visit.

Mrs Barker, 74, became concerned when a neighbour called to tell her that Mrs Crowther had been taken to hospital.

She called Miss Crowther's social worker but the employee refused to answer any questions on the phone so she visited her home in Shipley, West Yorkshire.

On arrival she discovered the horrendous conditions her sister was living in, with rubbish piled up and rats in the home, which she described as 'a smelly hell hole'.

Speaking about the horror after asking a neighbour for a spare key to the mortgaged property, she said: 'My sister was house proud once, but I was shocked.

'It had a foul smell, damp musty clothing was scattered around with rubbish, old dog food, dead flowers. It was cluttered like a hovel.

'Tricia had been sleeping in the fIt catalogues Mrs Crowther's fire not working, having to hide the microwave to stop her misusing it, the cooker being disconnected, the toaster not working and that she often refused medication or to get washed. It also said not to call the police if she did not return home at night as long as someone had seen her that morning. Mrs Barker said: 'It's obvious Tricia's situation was dire and carers were fully aware of it yet their best solution was to take her to the pub every day. 'When I eventually saw her in hospital she did not look like my sister - she'd lost weight, her nails were dirty and she'd been neglected. 'I've no doubt that fall saved her life otherwise she'd have been left to fade away in her own filth.' Mrs Barker added: 'We've had no apology from the Council, only a letter asking me to find a new home for her dog. 'I decided to speak out because other vulnerable people might be out there like Tricia whose families rely and trust Social Services without question.' Calling on the council to review its cases, Mark Rounding, chief executive of Age UK Bradford & District, said: 'It is truly shocking to see the pictures of Tricia's home and the environment she was left to live in. 'No person, let alone someone vulnerable like Tricia with dementia, should be left by any service provider, voluntary or statutory, to live in these conditions. 'People must receive the holistic care and support which they both need and deserve to live their lives safely and with dignity.' Paul Smithson, services manager for Alzheimer's Society in Bradford, said: 'This is a tragic case - and sadly not unusual. 'Care scandals in hospitals and care homes have been well-publicised, yet unacceptable homecare practices are widespread and happen behind closed doors, hidden from public scrutiny.' Shipley MP Philip Davies said the standards of social care in Bradford were 'unacceptable' and more funding was needed.ront room surrounded by the filth - the kitchen floor was full of rubbish bags and so was the bath, the sink was full of dirty washing up and the cooker was filled with household items - it was a fire risk.

'Everywhere looked like a tip, rats had been urinating - rooms needed fumigating and the dog she loved was missing.'

She added: 'I hadn't seen her for a few months because I'd been very ill - but what I saw made me feel sick.

'I'd trusted the council and agency workers it employed to look after her but it was the biggest mistake of my life.'

Mrs Crowther is now a patient at a specialist hospital, but her sister believes she was 'let down' by the social care system.

Beryl claims that the social services department didn't think Mrs Crowther had family so sought approval from the Court of Protection to ultimately take control of her life.

Mrs Barker, who took photos of her sister's home and has complained to Social Services and care agency Creative Support, collected copies of care records filled in by her carers.

Bradford City Council's Lib Dem leader Jeanette Sunderland stated there were no excuses to leave Tricia in her home in those conditions.

She said: 'If someone is not capable of making a decision for themselves - there has to be a point when carers step in.

'We would not allow an animal to live in those conditions - I'm really sorry that Social Services set the barrier so high but it does point up increasing concerns about the way we are rationing support for older and vulnerable people.

'We are keeping people in their homes when clearly they are needed to be cared for elsewhere.

'The decision was taken to keep her under care but it was probably cheaper to keep her under care at home - there's no excuses at all for that lady to have been left like that.'

Bradford Council has been contacted for comment.

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