Does anyone else working for a caregiver agency feel like they are being used as a maid? How can I get my client to use me to her best need?

If you are going to be a housekeeper, hire yourself out at the going rate of $30/hr & quit the 'caregiving agency' right away! Otherwise, let the agency know you'd like a caregiving position and not a cleaning job.

I'd leave this position and find one that puts your caregiving 'talents' to use.

Now, having said that, I worked Elder Care for a few years. They ALL expected light-to moderate housecleaning. They weren't obnoxious about it and I brought a LOT of it on myself by offering. My client would have a bladder accident and I'm going to leave a soaking wet carpet and go home?? Not on your life. I'd haul out the carpet cleaner and get all the urine out AND do a once over with 'pet pee' cleaner. The family was beyond grateful---b/c the whole enormous house would have smelled to high heaven.

My client LOVED to bake, but without me doing 90% of the work, she couldn't do anything. So she'd take charge and boss me around and I made everything in the world she wanted.

After a few months, the family was so comfortable with me I had the garage door code, the key to the 'manse', and all the cars. WEALTHY people, but super trusting. Good thing they could trust me!

And, yes, more than once I got handed an old toothbrush to clean the guck around the faucets. Big deal.

Oh, they also had a weekly maid, but a lot of things (such as the incontinence issues) had to be tackled head on. I could have left a lot of stuff for the maid, but if it was a glaring mess, I cleaned it up. Did my client's laundry and got it ALL smelling fine.

I guess I would say, don't go into caregiving if you are not very flexible as to jobs. I also did PT with my client and she hated it, but I kept her going, living at home until there simply was no choice but to move her to an ALF.

And we didn't call me her 'caregiver' she called me her 'personal assistant' which, consider her 'standing' in the community, gave me certain gravitas. Made me chuckle.

I’m sorry that you are not satisfied with your working arrangements. That is frustrating. Who hired you? Did the client or her family? What do you see that she would need help with that you are not doing? Are family members doing those things? Does she like doing her own cooking and is able to do so?

Would you explain a bit further please?

I had an agency for mom. Her needs were bathing, light housekeeping for her room in my house, preparing a light meal, companionship, playing a card game, conversations, etc.

As far as doctor appointments. I did that. PT and OT exercises I did with her as well with instructions given by home health.

Mom and I were satisfied with her most of her caregivers. The last one was absolutely incredible. She related well to mom and was a sweetheart.

I have used Visiting Angels in south FL for several years now. I manage it long-distance for my 2 very senior LOs. So if I tell the agency that such-and-such needs to happen, that is what needs to happen since I'm responsible (as the PoA) and am working in their best interest. If you are hired as a companion (there is such a thing), then chit chat is fine. Their companion drives them to appointments, takes walks with them, does light housekeeping (ironing, making lunch, change bed sheets), play cards. We have a separate company come in and do cleaning (vacuuming, scrubbing toilets/showers, wash floors, etc). If a caregiver needs to do any more than that, like give out meds, or if the client is a fall risk, the agency has to send out someone who is "qualified" to do that and there is a higher hourly fee. Maybe you need to find a different agency and request to be a companion? I'm not sure about being private hire, as it is more complicated (think trying to get paid by someone with mild dementia) and you'll have to figure out your own tax stuff and find your own clients. Good luck!

Who tecnically hired you? Is it the woman you are caring for or were you hired by a spouse, child or grandchild?
If you were hired by the woman then you are doing what she wants you to do. You could tell her that a cleaning company would be less expensive for her.
If you were hired by a spouse, child or someone else that is arranging this in her best interest you take direction from them and if the woman is not allowing you to do what you are hired/contracted to do you can discuss it with them.
If you do not want to clean and do the tasks this woman is asking of you ask your supervisor at the agency to assign you to another person that you "would feel more comfortable helping" I am sure there are a lot of employees that would rather scrub the floor then change soiled clothes, linens and give bed baths.
I am sure if the company knew that you would quit if you do not get assigned to another person I bet they would find another job for you. They do not like to loose good caregivers and would do what they can to keep an employee happy.
Before you go out on your own double check to see if there is a clause in your contract that limits what you can do, where and for how long. (lots of companies have no compete clauses)

JMartinez, this sounds unethical on the part of the person you take care of and the company you work for. I wouldn't let someone take advantage of me. IMO cleaning anything with a toothbrush is deep cleaning and probably your duties include some light house cleaning?
It also sounds like you may have formed some sort of friendship with the woman you care for. I think you might need some boundaries. What would the lady do if you told her that wasn't part of your job? I don't mean for things to become troublesome, but maybe this isn't something you signed up for and the older employees look at it as you learning the ropes?? Can you find a job that is more of a sitter type job. No house cleaning?
Good luck and take care.

If what your client is asking you to do is not part of your employment contract then you need to put your issues in writing, then you can leave the agency if they don't address the issue with the client and they can not enforce a non competition clause.

Remember that anything verbal can be a he said/she said battle, but in writing is in writing and no one can say anything beyond what is written. So address the agency in writing and have a plan for your next job. Just in case they decide that you are a problem.

Best of luck finding a solution.

My mom received help through Council on Aging. They have a contract with a local caregiving company.

One of the workers explained to me that they offered two services from this particular company, one was sitting combined with light housekeeping (scrubbing with a toothbrush isn’t considered light cleaning.) The other service is strictly housekeeping which is more detailed cleaning and the employees are paid a couple of dollars per hour more for the deeper cleaning job.

So, I think I would clarify with the agency what they offer to clients and what exactly did your client sign up for.

If you are not interested in doing as much housekeeping then request to work with clients that need sitting, bathing, cooking and light housekeeping.

Mom’s last worker would offer to do more cleaning but I told her while I thought it was sweet of her to offer but that I did not want her to overextend herself. I’m sure some people would take advantage of her by asking for deep cleaning but I feel that isn’t right to do.

Best wishes to you.

Just a note that some people are not so interested in chatting and may feel it's a waste of their money. My Mother is like that. She herself was always "busy" doing something. She did like cleanliness and order. So, I looked for caregivers that had a skill or talent - could be gardening or cooking for example. So they could be busy and engage her in their activity either physically or in the planning/shopping/chopping, etc. She also was not happy to have someone with her all the time. That made it hard from an agency hire standpoint. When she was napping, she didn't want someone to be sitting and waiting for her to wake up to ...chat.

I would speak with the Agency and let them know your concerns. You are not a maid. Let them know you need a case with more caregiver responsibility. If they are not receptive, find another Agency. You will not be happy if you are not using your full talent. Do not let the Agency or the client exploit you as a cheap maid. JMO and good luck.