Is it elderly abuse/abandonment to message client 14 hours before the next shift?

When I took an entity to small claims court years ago, the judge ordered mediation to solve the issue, even though I was 100% in the right demanding a refund from a summer camp program that was using unsanitary practices. The mediator forced us to split the settlement in half, so I only wound up getting half my money back.

I suggest you send a demand letter threatening legal action because this client is trying to dupe you.

Also when you take her to small claims court, I woudl also ask the court for her to pay whatever the small claims court fee is.

Send her a bill first via registered mail. With a demand letter.

Save all receipts from anything to do with this.

Since you worked for the 3 days you must be paid. It is the law that you must be paid for the hours that you worked. You need to take this lady to court and sue her for payment for the hours that you worked. You will definitely win this case. Make sure you have documents to show that you worked on those days. Also, make sure you ask the court for payment of your court cost.

I so hope u have a contract with her and proof of the hours you worked. She has to pay u for hours worked.

No, you gave her plenty of time to ask one of the other aides if they could work those hours.

I am going to sit squarely on the fence here
First... 14 hours, depending on when you called her is plenty of time for her to find a replacement. Now if you called her at 9PM that is a bit late to be calling for replacements.
Second.... You say you were "double booked" does that mean that even if the hospital did not call you someone would have been moved around in / on your schedule? Or is the "double booked" mean the hospital job and your private job?

What job is your priority job? If it is the hospital you need to be honest with whoever hires you that there might be days when you will get called in at the last minute and that is priority.
You can make this a bit easier to take if you have friends you can call on to fill in for you.
If a caregiver where honest with me about that I might not have a problem but I would not like to be called on Monday and telling me that you could not show up until 2 or 3 hours after our scheduled time.
That means if I had things scheduled I would have to cancel or postpone and if any were appointments where I would be charged a fee for not canceling in advance are you going to pay that fee?

The fact that she does have other help makes this sound m ore like she is looking for a way to get out of paying you.
I do agree you are owed for the hours you worked.
A strongly worded letter hinting that you may turn this over to your attorney if you are not paid what is owed to you might work but I also think an apology for canceling is due from you as well.

You are speaking I assume of the days you DID work, correct?l
Take her to small claims court, or call her and let her know you will see her in small claims court. Be certain you have witnesses or affidavits to your side of this story and this is a win for you. Yes, this is shocking, but the fact that people no longer pay their bills is not at all shocking.

Sounds like she found a way to avoid paying you for work you had already performed. Was it your responsibility or hers to arrange for a backup plan?

Send her a demand letter and threaten legal action. She must pay you for hours worked. You aren’t a slave. And put a lien on her house for the amount you are owed lol. Anyone can do it.