Mom is 87 and declining with Parkinson's / dementia / TN / diabetes. Dad (who suffers from spinal stenosis) is her primary caregiver. I (as their only child) was able to secure Medicaid for Mom. So, now Dad has, for the last couple of months, the help of 12 hr 7 days a week aides along with hospice. There have been more and more instances now where the aides have called out and the agency is not able to find a replacement leaving dad alone to care for mom. I understand times are tough with covid-19 being an issue, but I'm wondering if we should look into a different agency or is this problem the same no matter where you look.
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I found a wondeful woman through friends. I told the agencies to hire her, AND pay her $18 per hour. As the insurance company was willing to pay $25 per hour...the agency would still make a profit...maybe not the massive one they could get...but still a profit. I told the agency owner...if they didn’t want to do that, I would take the business elsewhere. I wanted a reliable, dependable person...and I know that it is t possible on a wage that the aide could not live on.
It shows a lack of integrity.
Is there a family member who can go help dad out until things return to normal? Also talk with the agency to find out if they are hiring additional fill-in workers or just waiting on regular employees to return. That might be an indicator of how long someone needs to go help dad out.
I would ask the agency what they suggest
Also, look for another agency that accepts Medicare.
Do you have a relative that may help in a pinch?
Best wishes to you and your family.
My MIL had round the clock home health aides until a place opened in an adult day program. Then, she switched to ADP and a night time caregiver, When COVID-19 hit, she switched to 2 caregivers - 1 for daytime and 1 for nighttime. Maybe one of these options will work for you.
will have to look into how to get qualified for more hours.
I agree with the poster who said with so many out of work maybe you could privately pay and extra set of hands.
So if you look for facility check out how they are handing COVID-19 issues. Such as no visitors, masks and gloves at least on staff, and restrictions on patient movement. This is life in the time of COVID-19. F you don't like the restrictions, then ask the people in Washington state SNF where the delightful St Patrick's day dance and party turned into to a horrid disease spreader and resulted in many deaths.
I was a CNA for several years. I was never allowed to call my client. I could call my supervisor and another caregiver would be sent to the client.
These people are not reliable, also they earn minimum wage, so tjey are not motivated. I call the agency numetois times and complain,
I was told by the company supplying aides that folks are actually refusing to work due to Covid-19. Being an essential employee myself in law enforcement, to hear aides are refusing to work is really disappointing.
Find out if you can employ 2 separate agencies to ensure that your mom is getting the care she needs. This would give you a larger employee pool to choose from.
I would also encourage dad and mom to tell you the names of the aides they like best and then see if you can request those aides specifically.
This is a difficult job and it hugely underpaid, so unfortunately it doesn't really draw people that have lots of ambition to be there no matter what and be stellar while there. Not saying that there aren't some amazing people doing these jobs, saying it is difficult to find them.
Best of luck and thank you for stepping up and doing your essential job so the rest of us can continue to have the essentials right now. Everyone doing that has my gratitude and admiration.
Thanks so much for your kind words! xoxo