I want to know if I did the right thing as a caregiver. It was my first time on the job yesterday... and I work with this patient that has Cerebral Palsy. I was a little nervous of the job.. everything was going well until I spilled his coffee on myself on accident while we just crossed the street. This patient said that I don't have any professionalism because I was nervous. I didn't do anything wrong. He mock my intelligence, thinking that he is right all the time. He is the kind of patient that drives you to say a curse word at him. So what I did was I didn't fight back at him. I told him off a little bit, saying not to talk like that to me. He got very upset, and said that I need an attitude adjustment. Reported me to the agency. He lashed at me and said,"I'm the customer, and you are the worker!" He had some nerve saying that. He didn't want me to touch him. He was being very obnoxious, comparing his educational background, and saying that he has more experience than me. So I didn't fight back with him, I waited for my shift to be over. This guy was very obnoxious and very rude. I want to know,, have you been in this situation before? Did I do the right thing?
Did he win any argument with me by reporting me to the agency? or winning any argument?
Actually it's a good thing he reported you to the agency. Don't worry about it, just make sure the record is straight. Good luck.
Probably just an old curmudgeon that is testing you. Give it some time and he will likely settle down. No problem telling him "mr. Smith, I enjoy my job and treat each of my clients with dignity and respect and hope you will return the kindness; if there is something you would suggest I do better to help you, let me know and I'll do my best". I was selected to help you because of my background and expertise, so please give me a chance. If it doesn't work out for you and me, let the agency know and we can make other arrangements. How's that sound to you?"
Don't continue to work with someone who belittles you or makes your job miserable, pass them on to someone else if you must.
Or "Mr. X, if you're not satisfied with the care I'm giving you, I can take you back home, and you can call the agency and ask them to send someone else." You know the agency won't have anyone else to send at such short notice, so he would have to get along by himself for the rest of the day!
Most of the time, the bully will back down.
I wouldn't want to work with someone like that. I would report HIM to the agency!