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My 74 year old mother has a home health aide for 12 hours a day. The problem is that the aide is constantly on her personal cell phone talking with friends and family. She does her work while on the phone.
She also speaks loudly. The building Superintendent recently took me aside to complain that he can hear her voice in the outer hallway. He feels that it is inappropriate for her to be on the phone being that my mother is frail and needs her rest. My mother doesn't say anything. She has been diagnosed with dementia and practically sleeps all day. My mother lives alone so there is no one there constantly supervising the aide.

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This is a tough one. Here's the big question:

Is your mom being well taken care of? If you can answer yes to that, tell her to talk softer on the phone to make the landlord happy.

If she isn't getting changed regularly, isn't being fed on a schedule, isn't being kept clean, then find a new care giver. Easier said than done, yes?

Her being on the phone wouldn't bother me. Her being on the phone and not taking exceptional care of my mom WOULD.
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I think the Super should have better things to do than hang around the hallway outside her door.
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You're welcome, Abbieschild. Really does sound like the landlord is a busybody. I mean, how loud can she be talking? Thinking the landlord is just trying to start trouble. I agree wholeheartedly with your decision to say nothing to your caregiver. If they're good? They're angels w/o wings. ;)
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LearningCurve, that was just weird advice.....

If you have no issue with it, then let it go......if you feel she may be disturbing your mom, you can ask her to tone it down some......she works for you.... don't worry about offending her.... find a way to say it that is not accusatory, and I'm sure she will cooperate...
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Thank you for your response, Maggie Marshall. My mother is well taken care of and the aide is friendly and good natured. I don't want to tell her about my conversation with the Superintendent because I don't want to create any tension between them. I will pray about the best way to approach her regarding the volume of her voice while on the phone.
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You may wish to casually mention that cell phones make one stupid and the EMF (electro magnetic frequencies) are known to cause brain cancer. I try to limit my use as much as possible. Many people do not understand the dangers; after all they are "receivers" of radio waves and not a good idea to stick that up against one's head. Maybe approach the subject out of concern for the caregiver?
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ladeeM, you think so? Google cell phone EMF ratings & get back with me on this one. Those in the electronics field have known this for years.
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LearningCurve.... yes, I still think it is an absurd answer... we all have heard and read what you are referring to......so I'll take my chances. But sorry, have never heard they make you STUPID..... and fear mongers make me tired.
While I respect your right to post it, I respect my own right to say this is not something you tell someone you are trying not to alienate...
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LearningCurve, I agree with you regarding the possibility of getting brain cancer [the jury is still out on this, but so was the some jury that didn't think smoking cigarettes caused cancer].... it's a wait and see what happens issue. It's a personal choice.

If one doesn't want to use a cellphone to their ear, then they will use a Bluetooth or phone wire that connects from the cellphone to the ear piece.

Abbiechild, regarding the Superintendent, it is none of his/her business how loud someone talks on a phone. Since your Mom sleeps most of the day, the Caregivers voice apparently isn't bothering her.
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