deewee

Home Health care...it can be good and it can be bad. I've been subjected to outrageous verbal abuse by family members and refused to go back to those clients. I've been scratched, pinched and kicked by some patients (I guess that can happen anywhere). The current case I am working is not going well. I am supposed to be taking care of the patient and her needs...I totally get that. But the other girl who cares for her has set a precendent of doing the patient's laundry, the husband's laundry (he works outside the home), feeding the dogs, giving the dogs their meds, brushing the dogs' hair 2X a day, doing ALL the housework in the home, picking up the dogs' poop outside around their pool...just absolutely everything as if it's her own home. Now I am expected to do the same. A LOT of what I am doing now has absolutely nothing to do with taking care of the patient. I think they need to hire a separate maid for some of this stuff and not expect a caregiver to do all that. I'm looking for a new job...

I am finding more and more of this out there. I think this is the other "untold" story of caregiving. One that's often overlooked, probably because we aren't seen as defenseless. While we may not be defenseless, often times we try to hang in there because...let's face it...we don't get paid and lot and most of us need the money. I know that's part of the reason I kept sticking it out. It wasn't until it affected my own health that I had to stand up for myself. The family can find another caregiver to run off, but my husband and family can't replace me.

I'm just wondering. I just quit a job where I suffered extreme verbal/emotional abuse from the daughter of the patient I cared for. I finally had to stand my ground. I wasn't ugly about it, but simply stated that there was no way I would return for another shift, wished her and her mom the very best and left. I later found that I was just one in a loooooooong line of caregivers that have left the case for the same reasons. I know sometimes families are under stress from all the changes in their loved one's life and from having to find responsible caregivers, etc. But...exhibiting stress and taking it out on the caregiver they've hired are two different matters alltogether. I'm just wondering has anyone else had this experience? I know of at least 2 people that work for my agency that has had this experience. I'd just like to hear others' stories. TIA!

i am now working for a home care company and find that i sometimes get bored sitting with the elderly. i dearly love them but when you've gotten them dressed, fed, personal care done, light housekeeping done, what else do you do? we are required to stay in the same room, which is no problem except one of the people i've sat with has no where to sit in her bedroom and all she wants to do is stay in bed and watch tv. i try to keep myself busy picking up and such for her but just standing there by her bed is extremely boring and makes her nervous. her daughter does not want to put a chair in her room either. i got into trouble for sitting in the living room (even though i would go in about every 15 minutes to check on her) and was accused of doing nothing but watching tv in another room. the daughter is the one who wants all tv's on, and there was no sound coming from the living room tv so i wasn't really watching it at all. i hate that i got into trouble because it was only the third case i've been assigned but the daughter said i can not come back. :inserteyerollhere: i've gotten wonderful feedback on my other 2 cases, but still the fact that this one case reflects badly on me really bothers me. i guess i am asking this so that i can avoid this happening again.

I'm a brand new CNA and have only worked two shifts. However, I've already caught two residents making out. LOL Also, I went with another new CNA to help her change an elderly man's Depends. When she started to help him get his pants off to change him, she got down on her knees in front of him and started unbuckling his pants, and slide them down. Well...we all know what this triggered for the resident! It was all I could do to keep my composure til we left the room so I could explain to her why he kept trying to grope her. She is apparently VERY naive in the ways of the world. LOL!!!

I'm not going on to become a nurse. It's one thing to decide for yourself if you don't need/want to take a break or eat a meal...it's another to be told you can't.

Contact the board that held your certification. If you can find it online, they may even have your answer without a phone call. I'm in GA and it's required to work at least 8 hours as a CNA every 2 years to keep your certification.

I got another job! I'll be working PRN, but can have as many shifts as I want. I didn't want to accept this particular job for my regular job, because I'm still looking for home health care but this fits the bill for now...and will hopefully be a continuing source of income as I need it. Thank you all for your comments and advice! :heartbeat I am reporting the other company as soon as I start my new job this Thursday.

I like using deoderant in the folds of skin that tend to sweat. I actually learned that from a resident I cared for. Guess what? It works! No more sweat and no more sweaty smell! (Large breasts tend to get rather smelly, the larger the breasts, the worse the sweat/smell.) I use the resident's own deoderant. Also make sure to wipe their eyes with a clean damp cloth if you see "crusties" in the corners.

Congratulations! I passed mine on the 26th. I'm in GA and we tested with a classmate for our "resident".

I certainly am relieved to know that not all places are like this. I quit the job yesterday and told them why. As soon as I find another job, which I do have leads, I'll contact the DOL about the working conditions at the other place. I'm contacting my other leads today, one had even wanted to hire me on a PRN basis knowing I'd accepted a full time job elsewhere. I'm calling them today to let them know that I'm available. :)

The 15 minute early clock in is supposed to be for shift change and updating ourselves on events that happened on the previous shift...which is work to me...and should be paid. Our laws require 15 min breaks for every 4 hours worked and 30 min break for 6 hours work. Also we have a state law that says employers are not allowed to force an employee to clock in more than 5 min prior to their shift without pay. Yeah, there are a few labor laws being broken here. I think they just either don't know, or haven't been busted on this yet. I do know that if they are caught then the state will audit them and force to go back and retro pay people for 15 min early clock in. Not sure if anything other than a fine would happen for the "no breaks" rule...

There is an EXCELLENT school located just west of Marietta on Dallas Hwy. The name of the school is "CPR with Mickey". The full time classes take about 3 weeks to complete...85 hours as required by the state, including 24 hours of clinical. We were VERY well prepared to get out there and start working. Plus, it is much less expensive than the tech schools. They also offer part time classes, which take a little longer as the 85 required state hours are more spread out but it is still faster than going to a tech school/college. Good luck!!!

I am def considering being a whistle blower on this one. I'm normally very much a "live and let live" kind of person, but this is downright unfair to the employees and yes...it is breaking labor laws BIG TIME. I just started this job last week and was not told of these working conditions until I was there on my first day. I adore taking care of people and got so much joy from being able to help the residents but it was at the expense of my lower back and feet. I worked 2 shifts last week and it took me 3 whole days for my back to recover. I found myself lying and going to the restroom just to put the lid down and rest my back for a minute. They also require us to do peri care with the resident standing up. How in the heck??? I can't imagine anyone getting a person clean after toileting if they are standing up and you can't get to the peri area efficiently.

I was just recently certified with the state and got my first job. I loooooved the work, the residents and the other girls I work with however, the working conditions seem to bit....ummm....unfair to the employee. We aren't allowed breaks or meal breaks during our shift. As a matter of fact, if seen sitting down you can get into trouble or fired. Also, they are requiring us to clock in 15 minutes early, but are not paid for that time. I will say that the residents are extremely well taken care of. They know they are loved and cared for by the staff. Help! I think I've made the wrong decision about where to work.