Aged care home apologises after Melbourne woman severely bruised

An aged care home in Melbourne has apologised after an 84-year-old woman with Alzheimer's disease was severely bruised from alleged misuse of a bed hoist.

Anna Shearman was "horrified" when she saw the bruising under the arms of her mother, Theano, after receiving a call from staff at Bupa Templestowe on November 5.

Shearman was told the bruising was a result of medication, but when she insisted on an investigation it was found the wrong sling had been used to hoist the elderly woman in and out of bed.

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"I was horrified at what I saw," Shearman told 9News.

"This was not a little bruise. It extends from her breast to her armpit and across her breastbone. I knew there had to be some sort of trauma that has caused it.

"(The hoist) was meant for a resident that was 18 kilos lighter, so that is quite a significant difference in weight, so they were squishing her into this for days."

Shearman has lodged a complaint with the regulator, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC).

"I was quite devastated for mum that she has to live with such indignity and such lack of respect for people that are meant to be caring for her," she said.

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Bupa has apologised.

The Templestowe branch was sanctioned earlier this year.

In March, the ACQSC issued a non-compliance order which expired last Friday.

The facility had failed seven out of eight standards and the ACQSC found there was an "immediate and severe risk" to the safety of residents.

It was stripped of Commonwealth funding for new residents for four months and had to appoint an independent advisor.

That order expired last Friday.

Aged Care advocate Dr Sarah Russell said the sanctions were "very serious".

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"I can't tell you how bad that is to fail seven out of eight standards," Russell said.

"It's appalling."

Bupa Templestowe said it was "very sorry" and told 9News new training procedures had been implemented.