A bit unusual, I guess. We were approved for a home aide for 7 hours x 7 days/week. But there is not that much care needed currently. Maybe there will be in the future. Plus, it's a small apartment. The agencies say they will not do less than 7hrs x 7 days. We probably need 4 hours 3 days a week. What do we do?
Let the caregiver do a puzzle with your loved one.
Let the caregiver take your loved one for a walk outside.
We gave ours the WiFi codes so they could study for their college courses. One just got her RN degree. One got her BS degree in Social Work.
Let them do laundry.
Have them do crafts with your loved one.
Some days they will be short staffed so you won't get anyone even though you are approved.
They can change the bed and wash the sheets once a week.
Start doing things that you want to do and either get out of the house or you now have help going through the boxes in the bedroom that you have been meaning to sort.
And if you are going some/ a lot of the things the caregiver should be doing STOP...let them do what they are being paid to do.
Like you, we thought a caregiver for 4 hours, 3 days a week for my parents would be all we needed.
But soon that changed to 5 days. And as their dementia progressed, we continued to add shifts. In less than two years we needed 24 hours of care.
Light housekeeping was added. Meal planning. Med organizing. Grocery ordering. Laundry. Closet organizing. Cabinet organizing. Nail care. Help with puzzles. Help with eating. Then help with just about everything.
Downtime was spent in an extra bedroom, but “at the ready.”
We were relieved to have someone there.
You have tried to be truly honest. So good on you. On you go.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Assists with personal cares such as bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, toileting, routine
catheter and colostomy care, ambulation, transfers or positioning.
2. Performs simple dressing changes that do not require the skills of a licensed nurse.
3. Assists with physician-ordered medications which are ordinarily self-administered under
the direction and supervision of the Registered Nurse. Typically, this involves reminding
the client of the specific times to take their medication.
4. Performs simple procedures as an extension of therapy services under the direction and
supervision of the therapist.
A. Range of motion exercises
B. Home exercise program
5. Reports changes in the client's condition and needs to the Registered Nurse.
6. Performs household services essential to health care at home, including, but not limited to:
A. Meal preparation/feeding
B. Laundry
C. Light housekeeping
7. Completes the appropriate records to document care given and pertinent observations.
8. Communicates effectively with all members of the interdisciplinary team.
9. Maintains a safe client environment and identifies and reports of any suspected vulnerable
client abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation.
10. Maintains client confidentiality; treats clients and families with respect.
11. Understands, accepts and responds to the emotional needs of each client.
12. Participates in in-service programs to meet compliance requirements.
13. Accepts and fulfills assignments and exercises judgement in accepting assignments.
14. Understands and follows infection control policies including proper handwashing
technique.
15. May assist with precepting other HHA’s.
16. Performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned by RN.
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