Was I wrong? Advise please.

Specialties Home Health

Published

I am a caregiver for a home health agency. I have a client that is new to me, they are in an assisted living community. I am from an outside agency hired by the family. Today, Saturday, I came in for my shift and noticed they still wearing the same pj's that they had on Thursday. I asked them word for word " X, How often do you like to change your outfit?", to which they responded "As, often as I would like to, Why?". I said I was just making sure that they are being taken care of, because I had noticed the same pj's were on that they had on Thursday. Thay were insulted by this and now don't like me.

I told them I could get the office to send a different caregiver, but they said not to and that would make things worse. They are laying in the bed room now and seems truly upset with me. I just wanted to make sure they were ok.

Did I do something wrong here?

*Sorry for the they/them it didn't feel right to use he or she.

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Specializes in Hospice.

I think you made an error in tact. When they said as often as they like to, that is where I would have left it.

It's subtle and not a huge error. Learn from it.

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There is the possibility that set of pj's had been laundered between Thursday and Saturday. Get concerned if you notice obvious stains or soil. If you were a mind reader, and had foresight that the resident would be upset by your remarks, you would not have made them. Ease up on yourself. We all can not be mind readers all of the time.

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Thank you for letting me know. I will try to be better about the things I say. Or how I ask. I will take it as a lesson learned.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Gotta say - Love your attitude

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Specializes in ICU/ER/Med-Surg/Case Management/Manageme.

Another thing - I sleep in the same sleeping clothes 2-3 nights. I shower before bed...no big deal to me. More importantly tho - and I'm going to assume your client is a senior - they might be ashamed to admit certain things or that they need help. Maybe in the future something along the lines of "Hey! just let me know if you need help changing". Thank you for noticing and caring.

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