Noosa aged care worker in court over stealing from Alzheimer client

An aged care worker offered her struggling client a lift and then took advantage of the situation while she was helping to unpack groceries.

An aged care worker who offered a client with Alzheimer’s and dementia a lift home was caught on camera stealing from the “frail” victim.

Lisa Clare Underwood, 49, of Woombye pleaded guilty in Noosa Magistrates Court on October 4, 2022, to one count of stealing.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist described it as a “despicable bit of conduct” and fined her $600.

Police prosecutor Allison Johnstone said about 2.30pm on June 16, 2022, Underwood drove her client to her Noosaville home after seeing her by the side of the road struggling with groceries.

Sergeant Johnstone said the client usually received care on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and the day of the offence was on Thursday.

Lisa Clare Underwood outside the Noosa Magistrates Court.

The police prosecutor said Underwood helped her client, who lives alone and has Alzheimer’s and dementia, unpack her groceries and then left.

Sergeant Johnstone said a witness who is an enduring power of attorney to the victim gives the victim $300 cash a week.

“The witness states there’s anything from $50 to $100 left over every week and it’s kept in a small purse,” the police prosecutor said.

The sergeant said the witness was surprised to find no money left over when she checked the purse on June 17, 2022.

The witness looked at CCTV footage recorded in the victim’s kitchen.

“The defendant is unpacking groceries, placing them on a bench, she’s rummaging through the victim’s bag, she removed a small item from the bag and placed it in her back pocket,” Sergeant Johnstone said.

“She clearly removes a square item from the bench and walks from the kitchen hiding the item behind her mobile phone to screen the item from the victim.”

Sergeant Johnstone said police suspected Underwood stole cosmetics from the bench and up to $40 from the victim’s purse.

Sergeant Johnstone said $90 restitution was sought.

Duty lawyer Katie Paterson said Underwood was remorseful for her actions and it was opportunistic and out of character.

“She’s not sure why she did it,” she said.

“She was not under any financial duress at the time.”

The aged care worker was employed for two years in a nursing home and has spent the past 10 months working in the community for an aged care provider.

“As a result of the current offences before the court she’s been stood down pending the outcome of today,” Ms Paterson said.

The lawyer said Underwood would lose her job if a conviction was recorded.

Mr Stjernqvist said it was an early guilty plea.

“It’s a despicable bit of conduct from yourself in respect of this frail victim, especially given the industry you’re in,” he said.

Along with the fine, he ordered Underwood pay the restitution and a conviction was not recorded.