UPDATE Wednesday, May 30, 2007 7:05 PM This is one of those days when I am angry about several things. I need to do some venting about matters of importance in my life. A few members in the depression community have written in my journal that they are tired of hearing about my caregivers. Well, I am going to do some more complaining about them, so if you cannot stand to hear anymore, I strongly suggest that you quit reading this entry. My main caregiver is a Certified Nurse's Aide, also known as a CNA. He has been very good to me in most ways. The one exception is the time of night when he puts me to bed. When I first came to this agency more then 3 years ago, I told the agency that I did not want to go to bed before 10 PM. At first, I was told that everybody had to be put to bed before 9 PM. I said if that were a case then I would try and find another agency. The nurse who was working with me at that time said she would try to work something out with another person. A short time later she called me back saying that she had found someone who liked staying up late and would not mind if I stayed up until 10 or 10:30 at night. The three of us met and we agreed on that time. As the months went by, my CNA began putting me to bed earlier and earlier. First, it was 9:30 and then 9 PM. I complained to him a few times, but he started coming here a little bit later, just as I had asked. The downside was that he started pouting like a child and would not talk to me for three or four days. Then he began coming here at 8:30 PM. I told him that was too early. He said the rules now stated that everybody had to be in bed by nine. I said if that were the case then I would have to go to another agency. He seemed to become somewhat disturbed by that. He said if I would stay with the agency, he would start putting me to bed at 8:30 and finish up by 9:00 as long as I did not tell the agency. This would just be an agreement between the two of us. While that was going on, my bedtime situation was getting worse. He started putting me to bed at 8:15. That soon became 8:10, 8:05, 8:00 and so on. Last Thursday evening my nurse was here working with me and we heard a knock at the door at about 7:30. I opened the door and there stood my CNA. He keeps getting here earlier and earlier and earlier. It will not do much good for me to complain because his agency backs him up. I can threaten to go to another agency, and he will probably try to make another deal with me, which he will not keep. I have a list of approximately 100 home health care agencies. Only two of them are familiar to me, and I would not send my worst enemy to them. I do not know how to begin to weed them out. There are two other options available to me. First, I can file a grievance against the agency. Second, I can also file a grievance with the state. I do not feel either of these options would do me any good. Thus far, I have managed to control myself and keep from blowing up. Tonight I am irate and do not know if I can keep my mouth shut any longer. I do not know what to do.
Replies
Do you know anybody you can talk to that may know some other agenencies. Your kind of caught between a rock and a hard place. Does your case worker have any suggestions. You shouldn\'t have to be going through this... As for as venting... that\'s what this site is for...and possibley someone can help you with this... Sure wish I could help but really have any answers.. but sometimes I really think the state or who ever needs to know what cruddy people they have working for them. I know they really have people of a barrell because if you do file then that may make it harder... maybe you find others that have grievances too and ya\'ll can go in together... vent all you want it\'s your life and you have a right... sherry
Hi,I wrote a message earlier to you this am and lost it- so i\'ll try to keep this to the point.
1.Put on some music you like-divide the list of agencies into groups-so you don\'t get to tired or feel overwhelmed. Type in the letters for the BBB-and check out the agencies. Print or write down info about the ones you are interested in.
Weed through them-mark off the ones you know are not a prospect.
2.Make a phone call to your primary dr-asking could they-the staff in the office and/or your dr recommend an agency.
3.If you have more than one dr-that you feel comfortable with-make a call to them as well.
4.When you got your medications a few weeks ago, you spoke about a lady who took the time to speak with you privately-if you have her name/and /or/#, speak with her to see if she could refer you to some that she possibly knows about.
5.Call a local hospital and ask for the social services dept. Ask a case worker-possibly they could be of assistance.
I hope you have an enjoyable day. Thank you for all of the help you have given me. I have always appreciated it and you. As for those in the \'other\' community-those upset-should \"walk in your shoes\" so to speak-before complaining. DS is supposed to help and uplift one another and i know that in our community of CP-we do just that, so i wish you well with your investigative work-and as having been a \'former\' reporter, you will do just fine!
Take care, I hope i did not write to much-and i need to take a break b/c i can\'t think or type very well at the moment. Best wishes,talk to you later-Pat