In need of guidance

Bunny whisperer · February 25

My DH has a caregiver come twice a week to take some of the pressure off of me. The agency which we get them from had a 5 star rating and I always only read the bad ratings…which they didnt have. The problem is the agency doesnt let us know when the caregiver calls out for whatever reason or if they are sending anyone else....which they dont usually. The current caregiver is a good caregiver when she actually shows up to work and my hubby likes her, but she came last thursday sick and now my hubby and I are sick. They arent suppost to show up sick. I feel like firing the company, but thought Id ask for opinions before doing something I may regret.

Russinator · February 25

I'd fire them.

CindyBum · February 25

Though not my direct experience, my DW and her sisters would fire caregivers that didn't show up or showed up sick.

White Crane · February 25

Have you talked to the agency about this? When my husband was home I had to call the agency a couple of times and they promptly corrected the problems.

harshedbuzz · February 25

I'm a little more pragmatic than some here.

Before I burned things down, I'd consider what other options are available in my community. Is a day program an option for your DH? Do you live in an area that is well-served in terms of caregivers? Are there other, reputable agencies? Are you willing to do the extra vetting and payroll to hire privately through care.com or word-of-mouth?

I would ask for a different caregiver first. IME, agencies send whoever is available and sometimes that means trialing a couple of duds (new people, those unfamiliar with dementia, habitual no-shows, etc) before you find a good fit.

HB

Bunny whisperer · February 26

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/237261#Comment_237261

I do have him in a daycare once a week since its an hour away from where we live. Our oldest son just finished training so he can be his dads caregiver. I did call the agency today, because when I cancelled the shifts for this week I didnt tell them she came to work sick. But since my husband is worse off then I am I called his doctor and they suggested a covid test which showed positive. I called them today to tell them she came sick on thursday and to let them know we tested positive for covid. They apologized.

Bunny whisperer · February 26

I did call them today after we found out that we tested positive for covid. My husband has it worse than I do and I explained I didnt tell them yesterday she came sick on thursday when I cancelled the shifts this week. They were very apologentic. This caregiver isnt the first one from this company, but I was told she was the best.

Bunny whisperer · February 26

I know my sister would do the same, but she lives on the oposite coast.

sandwichone123 · February 26

I'd be concerned if there were no bad reviews at all, unless there were only two or three total. I have been asked several times to remove a review, or just never had it posted, if it wasn't great, which is not how reviews are supposed to work.

SDianeL · February 26

I would work with the agency manager and give them a chance to correct the situation. If it happened again I would look for another agency.

trottingalong · February 26

I always believe working with an agency to start with, but I would have a very difficult time if a person showed up sick in my house. My DH also has COPD and Covid would likely kill him.

Bunny whisperer · February 26

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/237307#Comment_237307

Through this alzheimers journey Ive learned to work with people more than just get angry. My hubby doesnt have copd, but if this turns into pnumonia it could kill him as well. He is in the advanced stages of the disease.

trottingalong · February 26

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/237309#Comment_237309

I truly wish you the best.

In need of guidance

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