Saturday, May 26, 2007 8:10 AM Today I am seeing red! I have two people who work for me. Both of them come from the same home health care agency. I have got along with them pretty well for the last few years, but all of a sudden, they are starting to get on my nerves. The man is named Herve. He is my CNA and main caregiver. The woman is named Debra, and she does my cooking and housecleaning. Neither of the two likes the other, and each one complains about the other to me. I do not like being put in the middle and they are supposed to talk to one another directly or go through their agency with complaints. Herve is the person who puts her to bed at night. When I threatened to quit the agency a couple months ago, we made an agreement whereby he would put me to bed sometime between 9:00 and 9:30. He has never lived up to that agreement. The time has been getting earlier and earlier each week. Thursday he came and 7:30. Last night it was 8:05. His agency has said that everybody they help has to be in bed by 8:30. I am so angry that I do not know what to do. This is causing me a lot of stress, which I do not need. As I see it, there are only three options available to me: 1. Have a talk with him and try to get them to come later; 2. Ask the agency to have him replaced at nighttime; 3. Change agencies. The first option will not work. I've tried talking with him before, he thought agreed to make the change that I want, and then gets angry and won't talk to me for two or three days. He will live up to the agreement for a little while but then go back to the way it was before. I do not think the second option will work, because the agency is somewhat shorthanded, and I live far away, from where most of their people work. The third option would be the easiest -- just to change agencies. However, that would mean getting rid of the other two people would help me because of just the one who does not do what he is supposed to, and I do not think that is fair. I know I write about my caregiver a lot, but he is a main figure in my life. He is making me so angry that I cannot even voice my objections. I am fearful that someday I am going to have either a stroke or heart attack because of him. Should anyone reading this have suggestions, please let me know. A Daily Thought: “Kindness is a language, which the deaf can hear and the blind can read.” -Mark Twain
Replies
If it were me Jim andI knwo I am not in your position. I would first try and have him replaced if you are happuy with the other care givers
There are some that are really good I have been fortunate throughout my Dad and I needing help with palliative care, I did alot of it but a suport worker came in for bathing and personal care and now with Mom
A half hour is understandable but not what he is doing
If the agentcy says 830 that is something you will have to accept and you could certainly call other places and see what their routines are, perhaps there is one that is a little later
I worked in community health for many years and you have to do alot of running around to service all the clients. I ws in nursing but there were times when 5 people wanted you at the same time and it can be hard from both sides
Perhaps you could hire a young person just for getting you to bed, a college student if you\'re able to that won\'t be too expensive but could use a few dollars
Just a thought or two
BLess You
Jan
I think it\'s time to see if you can get a new caregiver, Jim. Maybe changing agencies could be your last option, but the time you set to go to bed should be the time he comes..not before. If he\'s adamant about that, then he needs to work elsewhere. Stand your ground!!
xoxoxo