How do you deal with an alcoholic when doing the caregiving?
I got a new case, and the client is playing possum on some things. I watched her sit and peddle one of the floor bikes for about two or three hours with occasional breaks. When I transferred her from the wheelchair to the walker to her bed, she acted like she couldn't stand. Now, she had been peddling this makeshift miniature bike, but now can't stand? I knew this was all bs, and told her to scoot back on the bed. Then she was trying tell me to lift her up. I told her to bend her knees and push backwards while I helped.
I fixed breakfast and she didn't want to eat it. Her husband set her up with two cans of beer and she nursed one while watching tv. She wanted me to sweep and mop her entire apartment along with fixing a dinner she didn't eat. While I was working she kept insisting that I was new to the job and tried to find out why I wouldn't be working on Fridays with her. I asked her what did CompanyX tell you. I confirmed it that I don't work on Fridays. I counted thirty four tasks on her task list. Tomorrow she expects me to clean her refridgerator. She claimed the bathroom needs cleaning everyday.
What she failed to realize that I'm only to clean the areas where she occupies. She mentioned something about cleaning off dressers and organizing while she sits back and drinks telling me what to do.
This is correct. This woman is pushing the envelope with me. I went in the bathroom, and stood there. I poured some PineSol in the sink and swished it around, cleaned mirrors and the floor. That's it. It is more than what some other aides would have done.
These people are on the taxpayers dime trying to squeeze every little cent they can out of people and are not even paying for the services.
I'm going to address the drinking part with the manager when she calls. I think she had me cook the dinner for the husband.
I called the agency and asked to speak with the clinical manager. She will probably call me back tomorrow.
She is definitely trying to take advantage of you.
What’s the husband’s story? Is he in need of care? He should be cooking his own dinner.
They need to hire a housekeeper and have meals delivered!
The chutzpah of some people amazes (and disgusts) me.
I had put in a call for the nurse manager who is handling the case to call me back. Secondly, I need to stop putting myself in these cases and treat this like it is, a job. I don't need to take what this sick person says about me personally. I need to stop letting these people live rent free in my head. Maybe, I can suggest splitting the case with another aide during the week. I can do three days and the other aide can do two days so all the work won't fall on one person.
I need to learn how to turn off these cases in my head when I clock out and go home. My home time shouldn't be bothered with some deranged person does or don't do. Whether it is a dementia brain or a drunk brain or both for that matter. I need to detach.
I did an Al-Anon phone meeting tonight. I didn't get much out of it and hung up. As the old saying goes; "It be's that way sometime." Old slang~
Thirdly, I need to get a life and do things that I enjoy. Sure, times are tough but they are going to get better. It seems like I've been on this board forever whining about some old person.
On a more pleasant note, I registered a couple of my cats as Emotional Support Animals.
Maybe I'll find a boyfriend for 2024. He will have to like cats. 😆
Does that mean you can take you cats to resurraunts or stores?
I have told this story before where a clients wife was able to get an aide for him while she worked. She felt the aide should be doing the family laundry, dirty dishes left by the family and clean the whole apartment. My head Nurse said no, as long as there is another adult in the home, the aide is only responsible for the needs of client. The husband can do the "honey do list". If client needs the refrigerator cleaned and windows washed, then DH does it or hires a cleaning lady.
So in this instant, you are not responsible to do laundry, husband can do it. You could do hers but the husband does his. I would change the bed sheets and wash because she uses it. I would wipe down the kitchen and do dishes if I was involved in making the mess. I would clean the area she actually lives in but you are not responsible for the whole home. Your main job is to take care of her needs, like her ADLs.
Geeeeeez, she sounds like a nutcase!
The agency that I used specifically said that the only areas that were to be cleaned were Mom’s room. They specified that it was light housekeeping, floor vacuumed, sheets changed and trash emptied.
I would have never expected anything else. Actually, Mom was a neat person so the only thing that the agency worker did was to put on clean sheets which I had placed out for her. I had already washed Mom’s sheets when I did laundry.
Can you ask the agency to explain these stipulations to your client again?
She likely has a good bit of encephalopathy, and unless you read her chart, who knows what else.
In any case, you are paid I would assume to do the things you are doing (if not you should not be doing them and should let them know what you are paid to do). It isn't honestly your business about the alcohol if this is the wish of the husband and wife involved.
I do remember a time when we new mothers were encourage to have beer to produce milk. I sure think THAT went to the wayside soon enough (we are talking 60s, after all).
I would just continue to do your job, keep records you are supposed to keep.
If you work for an agency, Scampie, definitely DO discuss with those who supervise you.
I think that you will find caregiving to be much like all else in life. You may attend faith based community? Do you like all of them? It is not unusual to "like" one client more than another, but it is also best kept to one's self overall.
I noticed that if anyone stays sitting or laying for weeks and days on end, they will lose the strength in the gluts, upper and lower back.