Community Chat

[Autumn in NY]

What seems odd (to me) upon reading the original post again, is that Leroy "ruined" everything when he made a pass at her. It seems obvious to me that the OP was looking for a friend/relationship/family with this client. Not professional in the least to bring the dog, not carry a cellphone, share a birthday cake, etc. Screaming "I'm not a prostitute" was totally out of line and unprofessional. Can't image a "trained" employee handling a situation in that manner.

[60sgirl]

On 3/11/2015 raven-blackbird said:

On 3/11/2015 dreamytoo said:

The home health agency that sent help when we were caring for my father did not require CNA's for things like bathing, dressing, changing etc.

but a Certified Nursing Assitant is a whole other thing then what Jules says she does............................raven

Home care assistants serve an honorable and crucial role in our society by helping the disabled, elderly and chronically ill maintain high quality of life. These caretakers understand the dignity and happiness that come from proper hygiene, cleanliness and nutrition, as well as everyday activities and recreations that we often take for granted.

Home care assistants can be divided into two broad branches: personal care aides and home health aides. Personal care aides tend to tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, cooking and light housekeeping. Additional responsibilities include organizing a client's schedule, grocery shopping, helping a client enjoy recreational opportunities, and providing valuable companionship for someone who may live alone and have no formal caregiver.

Home health aides share all of these important aforementioned duties and, additionally, take care of basic health needs, including:

• Taking vital signs
• Giving medications
• Performing dressing changes as needed

Education

Most people who work as home care assistants have a high school diploma/GED, although no formal education is required in some states to begin a job. Other states require some formal classes as a prerequisite for working. These classes may be taken at community colleges, vocational/technical schools, or at private health training academies.

Training

Because the nature of the job differs from client to client, home care assistants receive the bulk of training at work. Under the supervision of another home care assistant, a certified home health aide or a nurse, the aspiring caregivers learn to perform specific tasks and acquire skills necessary for each client’s needs. Some employers also offer training classes in topics such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and may also require that students pass a competency test before beginning work.

Licensing and/or Certification

Home care assistants do not need licenses. Certification, however, may be necessary for home health aides to secure a good job. Along with an exam, the certification process comprises approximately 75 hours of additional training. Employers often rely on the National Association for Home Care and Hospice for the certification process. Certification is not required for personal care aides.

Necessary Skills and Qualities

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that job-specific injuries are common among home care assistants because of the strenuous nature of the work. Taking care of a disabled person requires the caregiver to have good health and physical strength. Employers seek home care assistants who possess dependability, patience, good organizational skills and an ability to communicate well with all types of people.

Opportunities for Advancement

Personal care aides may choose to receive health training and become home health aides. Home health aides have opportunities to advance to other health careers such as medical assisting or nursing, both of which necessitate additional education and training. Home care assistants with many skills and experience may enjoy the opportunity to teach or supervise new home care assistants or students.

all interesting stuff. I remember a nurse who got hurt on the job lifting a patient. She hurt her back and went out on workers comp, then eventually filed for disability.

What would happen in a situation where an aide went to a home to care for a male patient, she helped him to the toilet, and hurt her back and couldn't get up. No cell phone in her pocket, so she just lays there with him on the toilet? Way too many things can go wrong in this scenario.

[jessa]

Maybe jobs & training are different depending on the state or whoever regulates and controls?

[raven-blackbird]

On 3/11/2015 Autumn in NY said:

What seems odd (to me) upon reading the original post again, is that Leroy "ruined" everything when he made a pass at her. It seems obvious to me that the OP was looking for a friend/relationship/family with this client. Not professional in the least to bring the dog, not carry a cellphone, share a birthday cake, etc. Screaming "I'm not a prostitute" was totally out of line and unprofessional. Can't image a "trained" employee handling a situation in that manner.

SNAP.............that ONE sentence I found odd to and VERY telling........"he ruined everything"........how does a client ruin everything IF you have a professional relationship................................raven

[croemer]

You're correct maraschino...she lives in a facility that the apt is within a building that has nursing home, rehab and assisted living...so yes there is staff, nurses etc. on hand to help in an emergency.

[VioletEyes]

On 3/11/2015 jessa said:

On 3/11/2015 SoftRaindrops said:

On 3/11/2015 JustJules said:

On 3/11/2015 CouponQueen said:

On 3/11/2015 SoftRaindrops said:

Excellent advice, Mary.

Jules, you did everything you could in this most difficult situation. I know that you have had a very tough year and this is the last thing you needed. Sometimes, life just makes no sense.

Please take care of yourself and know that there are many of us on this forum who wish you the best and hope you are OK.... You've been through something very traumatic and you handled yourself well.....

Wait a minute..NO FAIR.. I don't know what type of year she has had. I am responding to this one post.

She left and isn't going back that said..she should of did things a bit differently..no cakes, no bringing the dog ..no sitting on the bed for comfort ..nothing that is beyond the scope of her job..did she do any of those things because she was interested in him..ABSOLUTELY NOT..but it still went a bit off the professional marker into the friend marker and you cannot do that in these types of situations.

Nobody is downplaying or not saying it wasn't traumatic for her..but she asked a question which I responded to. She told him it was inappropriate..but yelling she isnt' a prostitute..well ....she was obviously upset at his actions...and reacted. She left which was the right thing for her..

It has nothing to do with whatever went on this past year. I don't know anything about that. As for her welfare she left the situation and is now asking questions.

I haven't read all the replies but am going to..but she has to remember this is a JOB..not a new friend..etc..she acted totally as a nice person..but you have to maintain professional boundaries and once you go over that boundary..you unfortunately put yourself out there. What he did was wrong..absolutely..obviously when he continued on and asked if she had any friends...after she was upset and told him it was not appropriate...it was clear the man is not on the same page that most of us are on...so obviously he has some types of issues..

I would make it a point that I let the Agency know in the future that if she suspects any clients of being under the influence of alcohol when she arrives or after she arrives that her services are being ended on that day. I would not go to a clients home and perform any type of care if they were drinking or had been drinking..that opens up a whole another can of inhibitions obviously..so make some ground rules with the Agency.

Unfortunately this happens in this field at times..and other fields..she handled it well..now she knows some things to do differently in the future and one being ..she is to maintain a level of professional relationship at ALL TIMES..do not lower the barrier as then that will open it up on their end.

Thank you, your post sums up what I asked for...meaning sound logical advice in a constructive manner without making personal attacks on me. Yes, I made some mistakes...now that I am not in the heat of the moment I can see that in retrospect. While my intentions were nothing but kind and good, it still was a bad judgment call on my part. No more dog, no more b-day cakes, regardless of how nice the client is. I am not a health care professional, but I am qualified to perform the duties of my assignment which is why they hired me. They are a legitimate home HEALTH care agency that provides a multitude of services from just babysitting, meal preparation, housekeeping, to more personal needs like bathing, dressing/undressing, toilet assistance. Then of course they also have licensed nurses that provide intensive nursing care when required, and there is always an on-call nurse 24/7.

Again, thank you for your comments and suggestions. None of us are perfect, but I try to do my best and sometimes the only way to do that is to make mistakes and learn from them.

Who are you thanking? The poster who told me off? This place never ceases to amaze me.

SoftRain your post was nice and didn't deserve either of those attacks. Some people are over heated.

.

Thanks Jessa. I need to learn to post on threads that get less heated. I admit they bother me.

[raven-blackbird]

On 3/11/2015 jessa said:

Maybe jobs & training are different depending on the state or whoever regulates and controls?

it's doubtful............basically a home health care assistant does what families used to do for each other and just called it being part of a family................................raven

[jessa]

On 3/11/2015 raven-blackbird said:

On 3/11/2015 jessa said:

Maybe jobs & training are different depending on the state or whoever regulates and controls?

it's doubtful............basically a home health care assistant does what families used to do for each other and just called it being part of a family................................raven

Ok then, thanks. Seems like a lotta good advice here.........Too bad the OP got so steamed.

[raven-blackbird]

On 3/11/2015 jessa said:

On 3/11/2015 raven-blackbird said:

On 3/11/2015 jessa said:

Maybe jobs & training are different depending on the state or whoever regulates and controls?

it's doubtful............basically a home health care assistant does what families used to do for each other and just called it being part of a family................................raven

Ok then, thanks. Seems like a lotta good advice here.........Too bad the OP got so steamed.

par for the course.............................................raven

[Marienkaefer2]

On 3/11/2015 raven-blackbird said:

On 3/11/2015 Autumn in NY said:

What seems odd (to me) upon reading the original post again, is that Leroy "ruined" everything when he made a pass at her. It seems obvious to me that the OP was looking for a friend/relationship/family with this client. Not professional in the least to bring the dog, not carry a cellphone, share a birthday cake, etc. Screaming "I'm not a prostitute" was totally out of line and unprofessional. Can't image a "trained" employee handling a situation in that manner.

SNAP.............that ONE sentence I found odd to and VERY telling........"he ruined everything"........how does a client ruin everything IF you have a professional relationship................................raven

I think what she meant by "ruined it all" (in the context of the sentence where this was written) is that she had tried to be a little extra nice (brought him a birthday cake, etc) and his behavior clearly cast a shadow on her good intentions. Let's not forget that however business like we are supposed to be, we are still human beings. For Jules' part, she probably enjoyed his company while she was there because maybe (my thinking) he reminded her of her dad, who recently passed and who she misses. She felt sorry for him, and because she has A GOOD HEART, she tried to show him a little extra kindness. Of course we all make mistakes. NO ONE is perfect (although many people like to think they are.) I'm sure Jules will learn from this experience, as WE ALL should learn when we make mistakes or miscalculations in judgment. Whatever else, she came from a place of kindness when dealing with this man. In a world where we hear so much bad about how our elderly are treated, it's nice to know that someone will think about bringing a birthday cake to a lonely person. I see no reason to pick at her until the flesh is gone from her bones. Now, you can proceed to tar and feather me for saying this. Give it all you've got. Knock yourself out.