Past few days I’ve been having issues with my HHA. She’s been taking random pictures in my house for her friend to see, it has nothing to do with agency. Yesterday she thought it was appropriate to put me on cam with her friend who’s a man without my permission or knowledge until I looked up and saw him looking at me. I’ve reported her to office they're not doing much but just said they won’t send her back here. What’s something I can do?
OP, you are a special lady, just not with that knothead agency.
I mean, she was right there and you were right there and it was going on right there, yes? So... what did you say and what did she say?
I believe that the OP is young with paralysis. So I am sure it is not easy to confront a stranger in your home.
My concern is that the agency didn't seem upset at all with the aides behavior and would only say they wouldn't send her again.
Sorry, but that sort of behavior is unprofessional & totally uncalled for.
TALK TO A LAWYER!
This really irks me because you and your space have been invaded and you have no idea of the aides intentions. We are so vulnerable, those who need outside help. I was especially distressed recently because I learned private companies not involved with medicare/medicaid do NOT have to do a criminal background check. They CAN, but they are not required. We had the owner of a private company out with the anticipated aide. Owner did a check when I inquired and created (I suspect) a story for the info she found OR the aide was conning her...about charges in re to trashing an apt the aide shared with a sibling. Supposedly the aide took the rap for her sibling. Uh huh. Such a good sister! But only BY CHANCE did I discover this aide had about 10 court appearances for driving violations...and she was going to potentially drive my mother! The owner didn't even mention one word about this when I sent her an email, and she felt absolutely fine that the aide would drive my mother!
As for what you can do...I think 1. I would be investigating and attempting to find another agency and 2. At the same time I think I'd check with the local police on the non emergency number or via an email to convey your concerns about your privacy and being at risk...i.e. was she taking pictures of the environment, valuables to potentially rob you? And I would also contact the long term care ombudsman's office. There is such a need for HHA's that she is liable to be hired elsewhere.
And I will conclude with this little hyperawareness episode: In the process of looking for another agency they sent out a marketing person (1st error from my perspective). In the course of discussion she mentions that sometimes they have aides without cars who may be dropped off by a family member or someone. I point out the breach of confidentiality. She was clueless. I said well, you have a 3rd uninvolved party now exposed to our home address and knowledge of someone inside who is frail or impaired. Her comeback? That LOTS of people had access to information!
BTW, you want not only to assure that the images of you and your home are deleted, but also that they have not already been posted to social media.
Good luck...I hope you'll write back to update!
Glad ur changing agencies.
The agency should be doing basic training... like starting with “professional” behavior. No talk, text, live chat while on the job. No pictures of clients or their homes and other possessions, etc.