gochicagobears

I understand that. Somedays I'm like if you call me one more time....and having two aides assigned happens a lot. I realize there's a lot of people to care for but what does the office do all day? And why do they always need u right then?! Like really, the person JUST called off 10 seconds ago? Or did they call off days ago but u didn't bother to find a fill in til now?

Supervisor just said that our company's policy would have to be for her to report things stolen and file police report which she obviously doesn't want to do. They asked if I was requesting a new client and I said no not right now, Probably in the future though. They said she raved about me to the nurse And how great I am but I know what she says to the other aides about things like how I don't have enough to do and how she had the other girl check to make sure I didn't steal any trinkets. I don't know what to think. I know it's the elderly and they like to pick and complain, but I'm jut so stressed. One day she's happy an loves me and the next she wants to kno if I stole. And then she's always telling me what good work I do. Aughhhhh. I'm ready to cry. And I sure don't trust the grandson. (Not to point fingers but if anyone's stealing....)

Didn't really wanna say it, but I think that could be a big part of the issue...

That's exactly why I'm worried about. It has escalated even since July. I don't want to be around for it to get much worse

There are 3 other aides, 2 are as fed up as I am and the other I dk. I don't think so. The notes are too ridiculous and detailed for someone who isn't there all the time. The other aide only works Nights.

So I have this client.... Had her since I started working for this agency in July. She's nice (to your face) but when the other CNAs come in she will complain about you to them. Her grandson lives with her and he is a lazy fool. He is in his early 20s. Sleeps til 1 or 2 sometimes 3 everyday and expects us all to do his dishes and clean his bathroom. (As in, the dishes by his computer magically appear with his grandmothers in the sink the next day, and leaves his toilet full of pee.) My client showers in that bathroom so I mop and clean the shower but recently I am DONE cleaning his spit out of the sink. ANYWAY. Down the the BIG issue. The grandson always posts these notes all over the house about how things aren't done right, etc. DK if it's coming from him or her. And most of the stuff is untrue. IE, note said not to dump dirty mop water in sink. Well none of us use the mop bucket. (I'm the only one assigned to mop actually) Well I guess that's not the main issue, let me continue.... Before I came along, there was another aide that was awful. Stole, called in the middle of the night, was rudeeee, etc. So I understand the bad experience. One of the aides showed me a cabinet that she said when she started working there was full of crystal and now it's all gone. So things have been taken, at least in the past. My client always talks about things that have gone missing. I've not noticed, but she says things like silverware are gone, little figurines, etc. Many times she's talked about it being family member but recently she is more and more focused on us aides. For instance, my client had all these little trinkets lined up in the kitchen, and they were covered in an inch of dust. I offered to wash them for her. She said yeah, do that and put them in the china cabinet. So I did. Then one of the other aides tells me she had her check to make sure they were all still there. I understand, I really do; strangers come into your home, you are in the living room all day while they are all over your house, I would be nervous too. But she is starting to make ME nervous. (But what would I want with those little knick knacks?!) I understand it's their home, and they can post whatever notes they want in their home. And if they feel like items are being stolen I understand their frustration. But if it's really that bad CALL THE OFFICE. Don't accuse us all by posting notes everywhere. The most recent one listed things that have been 'taken'. Silverware, trinkets, things like that. (Many things with no real monetary value) And she had a supervisory last week and gave us all glowing reviews. And I almost feel like her grandson is egging her on. Esp because he's the one that types all the notes up. Almost like he's saying "yeah grandma, this is missing and this and that". I'm not saying that nothing has been taken, but I'm also saying that the elderly are forgetful. They misplace things, aides misplace things. things break, and get thrown away. But again, I'm not saying nothing has been taken. I don't live there, I don't know every single object in the home. I can'y say either way. My MAIN issue is that I HATE going into work terrified like "Oh man, what new note is going to be up today?" or "Is the office going to call me and ask me if I've stolen?" Just to be clear, I will say, I have NEVER taken anything. Never even crossed my mind as a christian. It's difficult because I'm assigned there for 4 hours and there is not that much work there. If I go SLOW and run an errand, I am done with everything in 2 hours. I've washed all the windows, washed down the cabinets, scrubbed the grout in the bathroom with bleach (As you can probably tell I am there doing a lot of cleaning, which I AM assigned to do, I don't mind cleaning). So my point is I know that someone being in your house that long can make you uncomfortable. Esp when they don't have a lot to do. But if I told the office to cut her hours, they'd tell me I needed to make my time stretch. SO I think all I can do is tell my supervisor about the notes and the accusations. The problem is they are all indirect accusations. No names have been named. I don't want to QUIT this client, but man do I feel stressed out. I dread going to work. It's not even just the notes about the stealing, it's also the notes about how things aren't done properly. I acknowledge maybe one or two of the other girls may be lazy, but that's not my fault. In all honesty I think I would prefer a new client. But I don't want to seem like a jerk for quitting on this one. And what if the next one is worse? *Sigh* Thanks for reading. Had to get this off my chest to other people who may have dealt with something similar. Any similar experiences or advice would be appreciated. Has anyone else ever had something like this happen to them??????

YESSSS. If everyone would just HELP each other instead of refusing and just doing their own thing and leaving you out to dry.....

Woah! I started at 9. the people that had been there 5 years made 10+

That's why I quit LTC and went to home health. It's not fair to the aides or residents to have one person caring for all those people at once. And for all the aides that are more experienced than you to be acting all high and mighty like they are perfect and just because you refuse to throw a 200lb person from the chair to the bed by yourself makes you lazy..... I Just don't understand. Put two people on a hallway and MAYBE then the residents will get the care and compassion they deserve and that we aides want to give.

Tell yourself that you know what you are doing. You know your stuff. You are good at it. Act like it's a normal day at work. You will be fine. :)

And also again, as far as schedules go, LTC is 5:30-1:30, 1:30-9:30, 9:30-5:30. Strict. But home health is more 7-5 (not straught!!) broken up. Of course there are overnight clients you may be offered. Just depends on your availability

And also I was making $9.00 per hour in LTC (which is not fair for the amount of work you do) but in home health the aides start out at that or more, at least. Hospital start out around 10 I think depending on experience

LTC is the hardest job you may ever have. Sweating, litteraly- dripping all day. Never getting everything done. Rudeeee aides who won't help you when you need it. 8 hours straight of changing briefs, showers, and call lights (most of the time means more brief changes). I went into it thinking that you were holding hands and bringing light, but honestly you don't have time. It's awful. Home health is totally different. Of course you are still giving showers and occasionally changing briefs, But think about it- these people are well enough to be at home so they aren't as bad as people in nursing homes. My agency isn't allowed to do any lifting either. And you are only caring for ONE PERSON at a time, not 15!!!! You get to do your hand holding and really learn about your client and be there. A lot of sitting and watching tv. Not always a bad thing Hospital aide I can't speak for. I'm thinking you have the big amount of people you have in a ltcf but I don't think you would be showering and changing pooy bottoms all day.

Thank you all for your encouragement! I interviewed today at an assisted living facility that is wayyy closer to home that the LTC facility I was at. I also passed my state test today! :) i think I am going to get the job :) but I will probably end up still working at the LTC place one or two days a month, whatever is required (am a casual employee) just to get my federal refund for my cna program

I passed today!! :):)