I provide care for a specific client Friday, Saturday and Sunday 8:00 am until 8:00 pm. (ongoing). Every Sunday we attend her Church, which is a different denomination than my own. Knowing the value and importance of Spirituality. I have been able to overlook.
Last week the Church voted in a new Pastor. I dont feel comfortable with new Pastor's sexual orientation.
Contacted the Client's individual care coordinator, informed her of the situation. Suggested that a designated member of congregation assume custody of client, that I remain standby either out in parking Lot or a block away at clients home. When new Pastor officially installed. Care coordinator Response ....That I most likely lose Sundays. As client's family has chosen to relieve caregiver faced this issue in the past.
Can you take ear phones and a phone or tablet and listen to a sermon of your own during the service? You can sort of detach yourself from your surroundings for a few minutes.
It is a j-o-b. You are helping her get to and from the church where she is comfortable and happy. That is all.
Anita is not discriminating. Her feelings are her Church's teachings. Whether we agree or not, we all are entitled to our feelings. She is entitled to feel this way. I think some of you are being unfair.
Anita, I have read your profile. This client has Dementia and should not be left alone for others in the Church to watch out for. There will come a time the client may get overwhelmed by the people and the sounds and you won't need to take them.
Look at it as what it is, a job. Maybe you should talk to your minister and run this by him. You have a right to your convictions but there are consequences to those convictions. This is not a "freedom of religion" thing. Your allowed to believe as you wish and the clients family has a right to make the rules. The aide must stay with the client during Church services. Please come back and tell us how you deside.
Please, no comments to my post. I am just saying we all have a right to what we think and feel. I just don't believe in hurting others because of that belief. Or forcing that belief on others. I belong to a denomination that has just OKd gays to be married in the Church. A gay minister is not far behind. I also have a Gay cousin I love. Alice has a right to feel as she does. This probably is a big decision for her. If the clients family sticks by their guns, and she needs to quit because of her beliefs, then her family may suffer.
If you can't get past the sexual orientation of the pastor of your client's church, in spite of the fact that it has no bearing whatsoever on anything, then losing Sunday's with this client would be next in line, I suppose.
"Freedom of religion" applies to your client as well.
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