Find Senior Care (City or Zip)
Join Now Log In
K
karyll Asked June 2020

We stopped getting help for my mom when Covid started. Also, agency was sending people that we didn't care for to stay with our mom. Advice?

They would tell us we had to take who they were sending. This was a govt. agency who got paid very reasonably. Have been told maybe you should self pay. We have been self paying for a woman who gives a shower only during this crisis. Woman who gives shower has not been wearing mask majority of time until I finally spoke up. She seemed insulted and said she didn't have to work but she likes to. She is efficient and gets the job done. She says she is clean and with good hygiene. But she is always out and about and I worry.
Seems so difficult to find good help. Worrying about getting new person back from agency as capable ones seem to move on and we get ones we don't trust. I'm very afraid to even have any come during this crisis with Covid but thinking of the future. So difficult to not be able to get out for even a few hours.
Are any here starting to get help back amid fears? Also, any suggestions for workers we don't care for but who agency says we must have? Extremely stressed out. Turning into a hermit who doesn't want to let anyone come in who seems not to have respect or be honest. Left in a bad situation!! Thank you

Isthisrealyreal Jun 2020
Think about it, can you really expect someone to wear a mask in a hot humid bathroom?

I think that she has told you that she will not be available to help any more if you insist on the mask. Are you prepared for not having her?

Mom has been fine, things are getting better, why pick this battle now?

mollymoose Jun 2020
We had an agency caring for my mom, and they were beyond AWFUL! Mom was self pay so that doesn't necessarily solve any issues. We literally had to take whoever would show up until we could get a plan together and fire the agency.

The lady giving your mom a bath really should be wearing a mask. She is showing complete disregard for your mom's safety! EVERYONE in any kind of health setting is wearing a mask now.

ADVERTISEMENT


Midkid58 Jun 2020
Seems like you answered your own question. Someone who works for you needs to respect your rules--and honestly, not wearing a mask around an elderly person in these times is really outright rude.

No, the chances she has COVID are probably, realistically, very small. But as she probably goes from place to place during the day, she is considered a very high risk 'spreader'.

Just let her go and follow JoAnn's advice. You will likely have better success asking around your neighborhood or church for help that is a better fit.

(BTW, my YB who is an EMT, changes his uniform out 3 TIMES A DAY during his 24 hour shift. B/C he spends his days doing elder transport. And we live in a state that has been (blessedly!) with relatively few cases.)

JoAnn29 Jun 2020
I was blessed I guess. I hired a friend of my daughters who knew me and Mom from Church. She was an aide on a Special needs bus in the morning and was picked up just around the corner from us. When she was done, she came to my house and bathed and dressed Mom. And visited with her a little while. Do you have a Church near by where maybe you can find someone like that in the congregation?

I have never worked with an agency. I would think, though, that one person would be assigned to you. That way Mom has someone she eventually knows and has a bond with. Having strangers all the time must be confusing.

BarbBrooklyn Jun 2020
The person who is bathing your mom needs to understand that she may be an asymptomatic carrier of covid and must wear a mask. Nothing to do with hygiene.

What are the characteristics of the folks you don't care to have in your home?
Do you have evidence that they are dishonest?

If I had folks I didn't know coming into my home to care for as n elder or child, I would leave valuables around unsecured. That seems like common sense.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ask a Question

Subscribe to
Our Newsletter