Bring Your own TP

[Catcar1963]

My friend is a home care nurse, and she's been instructed by the family to bring her own toilet paper. That's right, BYOTP. They also pointed out that she is to sit in the hard, straight back wooden chair during her shift, "so she doesn't get too comfortable". Another colleague on a different case has been told she is never to speak with a family member unless they speak to her first. I used to think dirty houses were the worst part of home care, but there are families who make the job a nightmare. I guess I'm blessed to work in a friendly, collaborative home!

What are your most outrageous home care demands?

[Libby1987]

That's the problem when the family believes you work for them rather than the employer, and the employer plays into it.

Maybe your friend would prefer home health, more autonomy and more money?

[LeChien, BSN, RN]

Haven't had too many, but the daughter of the mom (not my patient) used to shave her pubes in the shower and leave them there. I told the mom it's not part of my scope to clean after anyone but myself and the patient (younger brother). She wasn't pleased that I hadn't bathed him that evening. I didn't care. The girl was 17 years old, she can clean up her own pubes.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

That's the problem when the family believes you work for them rather than the employer, and the employer plays into it.

Maybe your friend would prefer home health, more autonomy and more money?

OP's friend IS in home health. That's the point of the thread.

[cherryelle07]

I remember when I did reshab care a few years ago and we had similar issues. Thankfully I had wonderful managers who reminded the guardians and family frequently that the staff didn't work for them, but the company and any and concerns should go through the manager and NOT the staff. They were awesome with dealing with that stuff so that the staff didn't have to worry about it. I had my issues with the job, but I did have some cool managers who stuck up for the staff and handled all the ******* crazy family members.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

Well, if that's what they want then i'd - definitely go along with it. Maybe even splurge on that $17 japanese toilet paper and brag about it in front of them. Oh, you'd like to try it? I bet you would... Honestly! Are they going to count the squares when you leave to ensure you didn't use any of their precious Charmin? You want to play those games. I think i'll bring my own chair too as the hard chair you have so generously allowed me to have hurts my back (thank you for not expecting me to stand the entire time or sit of the floor) so I think i'll bring my own chair too. Of course mentioning this to the home office is in order. They should not be treating you like an animal. I am surprised they're not charging you a fee if they run the a/c while you're there in the summer.

[Kitiger, RN]

I always check for TP before I sit. In some homes, extra rolls are in the hall closet! Or they may be out. It's not a bad idea to have some Kleenex in my pocket.

I always carry extra tools in my bag. Things like a stethoscope, bandage scissors, thermometer, tape, hole puncher and scotch tape to repair the chart, thermometer, alcohol wipes, extra pens, thermometer, flashlight, baggie of nonsterile gloves. Oh, and a thermometer (because the battery in their thermometer is dead.)

[realnursealso/LPN, LPN]

I have never heard of having to bring your own tp. The office should be made aware of this. I've only been retired for almost two years now, but families had to sign a sheet that said a safe, clean environment had to be maintained for the nurse. No family ever treated me that way. A hard chair? What kind of nuts are getting homecare for their kids now?

[caliotter3]

I had one case where a hard chair was provided for the nurse. The family member said it was designed to keep the night nurse from sleeping on the job. Found the general attitude there to be slightly unpleasant all the time. One thinks there really must be something wrong when people freely admit to their passive aggressive or vindictive behaviors.

[SDALPN]

I've seen this a few times. Same with the hard chair. I blame the agency. The agency needs to speak up. If all agencies did this, families would have nowhere to run and there would be less nurse turnover.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I used to bring my own TP and paper towels; been in situations where there wasn't any available until the family came home after work one time-thank goodness I had napkins in my bag!

Some families as just downright looking to control situations; others have been burned by shady agencies that they get very aggressive in terms of their conditions, unfortunately.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

OP's friend IS in home health. That's the point of the thread.

But they are in private duty...perhaps visits instead???

Still more autonomy and less time in households; however the wear and tear on travel is a drawback...