Agencies only care about money, and covering their own ass, not about their caregivers or the clients.

Bridger, I wish there was a place like yours when my parents and sister were alive.   You sound like a very progressive businesswoman.

Bridger,

How encouraging! That is so lovely to hear. I hope that the OP finds a place such as yours to work at. It’s sad that she was in a place that wasn’t run properly.

Not all assisted living/skilled nursing facilities are evil places. My husband and father own a facility. We are in a small rural county and are the only facility in our small town. We have zero tolerance for neglect, abuse or inadequate care of residents. Our lowest level employees start at $15.00 per hour. They have the same health insurance that my husband and I have, along with paid time off, educational benefits and 401K plan. Prior to opening the closest facility was 33 miles away. We are a private pay non-profit. We have a higher than legally required staff to resident ratio. We also have RN’s on duty 24/7. We have a physicians assistant on duty 12 hours daily/7 days. We have staff doctors on site and on call 24/7. All live within 8 miles of the facility. I’m sorry that so many Posters have problems. I know all of our residents and many of their families. If they have a question or concern they can ask and get an honest answer from any number of people on our staff. If you have a problem, report to the state nursing home board or any other board in your state for professionals. Write a letter to the editor of the local paper. Reputable facilities will pay attention to complaints and try to rectify the problem.

GA,

You should write a book about them. I’ll buy it!😊

GA,

Isn’t it sad. There is so little respect and tolerance in our world today.

It seems so easy to respect each other’s views regardless of them being different but it’s rare today.

So sorry that you experienced that in your situation. We live in a crazy world.

People can be extremely harsh and unfair. It’s difficult to fight back because of a million loopholes.

Yes, money does play a huge part in it. Money talks! It is truly sad that often times money is placed above people.

I’ve always loved your posts and for what it’s worth I value your opinions greatly. The company that you were affiliated with is foolish. You are an asset that has a lot to offer! They were blind not to see that.

Agencies aren't the only for profit entities that focus on revenue; so do many other businesses.    I think the extent of concern for and protection of employees is a reflection in part of the education, sophistication, experience, and especially the people skills of those in management positions.

I found similar situations in legal positions, and the reason why eventually I only worked for large, well known reputable firms.   Some of the sole practitioner were such jerks that I had planned to write a book about them.   I haven't gotten around to that though and lost interest, but I still remember the jerks.

Such as:

One jerk didn't have enough office equipment, so he turned over a wastebasket and told me to sit on it while I typed on an old manual typewriter put on a stand.   If you've never had a backache from sitting, an upside down wastebasket can cause one.

Another jerk decided my political positions were unacceptable (after he provoked me to share them) and refused to pay me.   The agency paid me.

Another one fired me on the spot when I refused to white out a signature on a deed.   Fraud?   You bet!    I was glad to be out of there. 

Unfortunately, jerk employers aren't limited to providing caregivers.   If I were you, I'd interview other companies.  And I wish you good luck.  No one should have to work under intolerable conditions.

So sorry that has been your experience. Not all places are good. I hope you find a suitable position in the future.

Best wishes and take care.

Freqflyer, you made me laugh right out loud! My 5-foot-2, 200-pound mother always makes loud, tactless comments about the weight of some of the caregivers at her facility. She's the last one to talk about anyone being fat, but she hasn't seen herself in a mirror in at least 10 years (macular degeneration) and thinks she's her slim, 22-year-old self.

Being a caregiver means having the patience of a saint, being strong as an ox, and having the thick skin to go with it.

What should they do? Refuse care to sick, frail and disabled people until they learn to keep a civil tongue in their heads?

But I'm sorry you haven't found your agencies more supportive. I will count my blessings that I work for a public sector provider with a zero tolerance approach to abuse of its employees.

That doesn't mean we're not expected to handle it, though. What exactly are you wanting your agency to do about the difficulties you've experienced?

Star1979, sorry you are going through that. Grown children who are caring for their love ones around the clock also go through the same thing. Just think, after your shift you are able to go home, plus you get paid for doing this extremely hard work.

One has to understand that if the client has memory issues, that person may not realize they are being insulting, or are yelling. Sexual harassment seems to come with the territory, also.

I have watched caregivers in nursing homes and many seem to use a sense of humor to deal with these issues. Such as if a client insults you, just agree with them. "You're right, I have no clue what I am doing " :) After time those caregivers get immune to yelling and insults.

I remember may Mom insulting a wonderful caregiver who was over-weight by saying "when is the fat one going to leave?". I looked at the caregiver and mouthed "I am sorry", and the caregiver just put her index figure to her lips to indicate "shhhh". It didn't bother her at all.