I’m new to the Medicaid aide service through MLTC. New aide started Monday for six hours a day. She is nice but hard to read. I’m not seeing her really trying to engage with my mom. She gives her dinner and helps shower her. The rest of the time is spent watching tv. She does the bare minimum of the list I made for her. Basically I asked she clean up kitchen counters and bathroom after use and quick vac the floors. She has not taken the trash out. When watching tv, she sits on another couch that’s about 12 feet away from mom. I have cameras in plain sight at my moms home so I can see there is very little interaction. This makes me sad. I don’t want to jump the gun and complain or offend the aide as this is just her first week. My mom has dementia and when I ask her what she thinks of her she just says “she's ok” or “I don’t know”. ( It’s important to note that with her previous aide right from the start Mom said “I like her, she’s good! That aide had to leave after only 2 weeks). But I don’t get that happy response from Mom with this current aide which troubles me. How do I get the aide to be more interactive with Mom and take a more active role with light housekeeping without being confrontational or offensive? Is it too early in the game to seek someone else who will be a better fit? On the other hand, I don’t want her to think this level of care is fine. I really need help with this ASAP.
1. Is the helper competent? Is she doing the things she is supposed to do and competently? What is she supposed to be doing according to the Medicaid guidelines?
2. Maybe try and feel your mom out a little more when she's having a good day to again confirm how you think the two of them are connecting. Does your mom want a relationship, or maybe doesn't care one way or the other.
I had the same issues/concerns when I was using helpers for my now deceased mom. However, I was using (and paying for) a private company. And this was before Covid. It IS sad to see a helper not connecting with her client, particularly if your mom is a nice person and would value that. Depending on your answers to all of these things, maybe give it a shot with another person. My experience has been that the relationship building cannot be coached, and if this helper is just mailing it in, it ain't gonna happen. Best wishes!