Challenges with family members of patients

[Hayssarah09]

So I know that relations with the family members of home health patients is often challenging but I'm a pediatric home health LPN and I'm starting a new case tom where I will be home alone w patient & patient's mother just discharged from psychiatric ward yesterday...

I have met the mother several times & she has always been warm & friendly. I am being told she has struggled w violence & anger recently. Any advice from anyone w experience w mentally ill patient family members?

I am hoping therapeutic listening will suffice but I'd love to know of a supportive but professional way to say "you are not my patient, I am not here to care for you." Of course I would never say that & this is a very nice family, I'm just anxious about the 12hr shifts home alone w someone so recently discharged for a bakeract w a brand new patient. :\

Any words of wisdom much appreciated.

[caliotter3]

I would advise you to go in with an open mind and keep looking for her to be warm and friendly. However, also keep in the back of your mind a plan should an emergency develop. And be prepared to leave the case if anything untoward makes your work there impossible. Have you discussed all of this with your clinical supervisor and/or Director of Patient Care Services? Your concerns are a legitimate area that your managers should be willing to discuss with you before you start the case. If they give you the brush off or you otherwise sense a lack of support, then this is probably not the case for you. Good luck.

[dkg005]

I agree with callioter3, I will just add to make sure to document any "abnormal" interactions with the mother although she is not your primary patient.

[Hayssarah09]

The company was incredibly supportive, case was not safe. Thank you for the advice!