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Shauna778 Asked February 10, 2024

What to do if a client reported abuse against you?

Im a caregiver with a 94 year old woman with dementia. Ive been there a little over a month. Her 3 kids live out of state. I was warned that 4 other companies have been fired by my client. The son also POA had told me I'm her last resort that if it doesn't work me and her that she's going to a ALF. I also had been approved 2nd poa to talk to her primary doctor. She recently had told her doctor I pushed her and hit her head getting into my car. I've been taking her to the doctors office for her concerns as well as mine to update her medication for dementia or a CT scan over her outburst and to be updated. DCF had been called from the doctors office and showed up asking her and I questions. Mind you the office on voiced over the phone that they were gonna call dcf on me. Never called her son which is poa of concerns of his mom. What rights do I have and should I file against the doctor as well??

Igloocar Feb 11, 2024
Are you sure you were appointed as a (healthcare)POA? If your client has dementia, then she cannot assign a POA unless she has been judged to be still competent (this is sometimes possible early in dementia). Could you have received HIPPA permission to talk to your client's physician, as opposed to POA? That would make more sense than POA. Permission to talk with the doctor would not give you the power to make medical decisions for her, and it sounds like you don't have that power (which I don't think you want or need). BTW, my understanding is that you can talk TO her doctor without permission, but her doctor cannot talk to YOU about her case without permission.

Isthisrealyreal Feb 11, 2024
How did the home visit go?

You should be open and honest with the investigation, your client is ill and quite frankly, false allegations are to be expected when dealing with dementia.

It sounds like she isn't going to assisted living, she is headed to memory care if she is as far gone as it sounds.

Good luck, dementia sucks and it adversely affects everyone involved.

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JoAnn29 Feb 11, 2024
Have u informed the POA what is going on? Since the woman has Dementia she cannot assign u second POA and either does the POA have that authority. And as said, doctors are mandated reporters. Looks like ur client will be going to an ALF which is probably where she needs to be.

AlvaDeer Feb 11, 2024
Welcome anyone who comes to investigate with open arms.
Be willing and ready to tell them all you told us.
I think this is something that will never happen.
Doctors are mandated reporters. If this poor demented lady reported this to the doctor then the doctor has to report it. They cannot just say "Oh she has dementia."
You do of course stay in contact with the POA and you keep meticulous diaries and letter.
I myself would quit this job, as it isn't worth it.
Hopefully she will go into care where she belongs.

Sendhelp Feb 10, 2024
My apologies.
On second thought, this is not something I feel qualified to comment on.

Sendhelp Feb 10, 2024
Call her family and inform them you cannot afford a false claim against your reputation and quit.

You are only one in a long line of caregivers, you are #5?

Get an attorney.

Geaton777 Feb 10, 2024
Did her son ever submit his PoA paperwork to that medical office?

"I also had been approved 2nd poa to talk to her primary doctor." -- I don't know exactly what this means... unless your client made an addition to include you as her PoA then you are not her PoA. No one can create a PoA for anothe person. Also, doctors and medical staff are mandated reports, so no matter whether they believe the allegations or not, they by law must report it. I'm not sure I'd run out and hire an attorney but I would at least consult with one to get the lay of the land. The reason why they never informed the son PoA is probably because he never gave them the paperwork. There's no way else for them to know. I've had to submit PoA paperwork to every doctor's office for my Aunt, even within the same clinic network.

Regardless, if your client accused you, then the issue is between you and her and the doctor's office. But you should call the son now and let him know he needs to manage things on behalf of his Mother.

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