I travel for work so we had cameras installed in the house. The caregivers know about the cameras but at least five of them turned off the camera or put something in front of it or even turned it facing our kitchen window. The ones that turned it act like they didn’t realize it. The one that unplugged it blamed it on our dogs. We hire these people to keep my mom company keep her safe give her meds and feed and help with bathroom. They all end up failing one way or another. Some try to put her to bed early so they can go to their computer, some don’t give her medications. I’m going crazy, it’s not very difficult. My mom is 84 and 88lbs walks around a lot and likes to be with people. She's easy but wants company. She has a hard time getting her words out so I agree with her and say that’s good. I talk to her. Then you have some caregivers ignore her. It’s hard to find good help...
At least in your own home, you can ask the agency for a different care-giver or change agencies.
It's a terrible problem, for sure. When we needed in-home help, we had good experiences with people referred by church friends. We had some good, some questionable agency care-givers; but the director of the agency was usually helpful in addressing issues.
The most wonderful woman was the sister of a friend from church. She was my lifesaver. For some reason she just was able to talk my Dad into doing what needed to be done. He never fought with her. She was amazing.
I tried the agencies, but found that the crappy pay meant the only people working for them didn't actually care to do the job. I insisted that this woman be paid a decent salary or I would take her and my business somewhere else.
Good Luck Rilley. I was on the same journey with my own Mom but I was lucky as I was able to take indefinite leave of absence. I kept engaging in conversation with my Mother and singing old Irish Songs as well as reciting recitations hence Mom never lost Her speech and Moms memory was quiet good to the End.
See All Answers