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I am a caregiver and the person I take care of is morbidly obese. She will not sit up in bed or get up and walk. She has a bedside commode and says she uses it in the evening and overnight but it’s always clean. She is schizophrenic. She says a group of people live in the apartment above her and they record her and take pictures of her. Every ache or pain or illness she has she says it’s because the people upstairs are doing it to her. She has recently stopped letting me bathe her. She doesn’t want the “people upstairs” to take pictures of her while she’s bathing. She isn’t eating. She thinks “the people upstairs” are poisoning her food after I leave in the evening When I leave in the evening I leave dinner by the bed and lately she hasn’t been touching it. And sometimes she says she has eaten but I find it in the garbage. She refuses to go to the doctor. She refuses going to the emergency room in situations she needs to go. The last visit to the hospital they wanted to put her in a nursing home. And she is scared of going to a nursing home. I have called the company I work for an reported these changes almost daily. My patient is getting weaker by the day and I’m afraid of being accused of neglect. My company only offers advice. No one has came out to reevaluate her etc.

You’re very caring, responsible caregiver. Does this woman have family you can tell all what’s happening to her and her decline? Who hired you? Just document everything. This woman needs medication for probable dementia. She’s imagining everyone poisoning her or recording her. She needs full evaluation by neurologist. The last hospital visit was wasted since they should have sent her to nursing home. If she had family member present, maybe it could have been coordinated. Good luck & hugs 🤗
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Reply to CaregiverL
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If you work for a homecare agency its usually mandatory for field staff to document daily on their patients/clients. This keeps you from being held liable for your client's choices.

You're doing your job. If she is refusing care, won't eat, or is in a paranoid psychosis, that's not on you. She belongs in a nursing home. The level of care this woman needs is far above your pay grade.

You can put in a call to APS if your agency is not taking this action and it seems like they're not taking any action. Unfortunately, most homecare agencies don't care if a client is beyond what the scope of what a homecare aide can provide. So long as that money keeps rolling in.

Call APS and explain the situation. Then tell your supervisor you are going to quit this case.
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Reply to BurntCaregiver
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Hello, You sound like a very loving and responsible caregiver. If possible put your notes into texts or emails to your boss at the agency.

The agency should have access to an RN. I'd request the RN to come out to review the situation. You can also tell the agency that you think 911 should be called due to the clients status. This should get some action from your agency.

I'd do some outreach to other agencies in the area and check on availability on other jobs for yourself.

Schizophrenia is a very serious mental illness particularly when it is unmedicated. It is legal in the US for someone with schizophrenia to decline medication.

Consider telling your existing agency that due to the clients untreated schizophrenia, paranoia, and psychosis that you no longer feel safe working for this particular client and you would like to be recalled and assigned to another client.

My uncle also had unmedicated schizophrenia for the last 15 years of his life.
It was rough and he refused to do anything.
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Reply to brandee
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Is she 225 pounds morbidly obese or 400 pounds morbidly obese? It sounds like she is dying— perhaps not getting enough oxygen to her brain.

You should probably call 911 and tell them how big she is (for the ambulance equipment) and you are worried she is dying.

Then you need to leave and call APS.
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Reply to Bulldog54321
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Needhelpinky Jun 16, 2025
Yes like 400lbs
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I agree call APS. Thats what your agency should have done.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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Call APS emergently today to intervene.
If they do not respond within 24 hours call the ambulance for transport to hospital.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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This woman is a danger to herself and needs far more help than you can provide. Report in detail to your employer in writing, and if ignored call Adult Protective Services with your documented notes to report
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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The caregiver who helps us told me she had a very difficult situation with a client, told her agency she wasn't going back, she'd documented the issues, her employer was fine with her leaving.
Geaton suggested to call APS. Good. Hope things work out for you and your client.
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Reply to Ariadnee
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