My dad is now 83 and he suffers from short-term memory loss/dementia. Dad has two caregivers through the IHSS program. One caregiver has an 8-hour work week (two 4-hour days). This caregiver is now calling in sick at least one day per pay period. It’s almost predictable that my phone will ring 2-3 hours before her shift begins with the news that she is too sick to go in.
I really would not mind it, but when we give dad the news that the caregiver is not coming in, this puts him in a bad mood for the day, he rants and often wants me to fire the person altogether.
I can’t help but wonder if this is caregiver burnout or if the person really is this sickly. Has anyone experienced this level of a caregiver calling in sick so often?
She has so few hours, should I just let her go? Should I stay the course with this caregiver?
A 50% no-show rate? That's not OK.
You can stay the course and it will be more of the same.
I worked Elder Care and always called the day before--or if I had to call 'last minute' I got someone to cover. Then I'd call my client with the option that I'd come another day or she could have the replacement. NEVER leave a client hanging.
I understand that things happen/come up and folks have their lives but to me, my job and income are very important.
The fact that the caregivers do not work an 8 hour day as I do and they have days off between the shifts just leaves me wondering how they can afford to miss an entire shift's pay.
After taxes and deductions, her check must be so small. I would be there every day and begging for overtime.
I'm thinking that there must be some monetary angle with unemployment if I let her go.
Could there be some sort of monetary benefit to her if I do? She only works 16 hours per pay period, would unemployment pay her more?
Chances are she has another job. If she is calling in 1 day per pay period is it the same day or around the same time? That might be a clue.
I would look for another caregiver. Particularly if she is giving you only 2 or 3 hours notice. If YOU had an appointment to see your doctor and had to cancel it because she called in sick you would be charged for not giving at least 24 hour notice. (at least that is the way it is with all of my doctors offices)
And your dad should not have to put up with the frustration of having his schedule disrupted as well.
if caregiver don’t show, they don’t get paid.
Hugs 🤗
Unless there is something legitimate about her calling in (that is something you need to be assured of) dump her! Your dad’s health is just as important as hers.
I'd say give it a couple weeks after reporting to see if the issue clears up. If it doesn't, then you might be better served with a more reliable person.
I suppose if you and your Dad like her and this only happens once a month, you could tell her that if it happens again, you will have to let her go unless she lets you and the Service to know the day before to have time to get an alternate.
You might just ask her what's going on?
Whether she is truly ill or calling out because she has another job that day or has childcare issues does not really matter in my opinion. She only works 8 hours a week and if I hired someone for 8 hours a week and they missed more than two or three days in a 5-6 month period I would probably let them go. So I guess in my longwinded way I have come around to saying that you should let her go. But the kind thing to do would be to let her know, to give her some warning that if she calls out again that you will have to let her go.
Don't stay the course. Let her go. I have worked in care and disabilities and this is a sign of burnout. She will continually do this and your frustration will grow.
It is not up to you to look out for her, you look out for your Dad, so get him a second carer who wants to do the job.
Look after yourself as well.
If she is ill then she needs to have the time to see dr or get the rest she needs and not hold a job where you need a reliable person.
Another consideration is if she is legitimately sick, this may be detrimental to caring for your father as if she is on shift, perhaps she could possibly pass on her illness to him.