Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Is it realistic to expect outside caregivers - nurse, PT, OT, OT assistant, CNA, palliative care person - to have a routine day that they come each week? Only two of them have established a routine day and time, but four of them call the evening before to inform her they will be here the next day. it is not the same day of the week, but is always on a weekday. Sometimes two come on the same day.
My mom is on a bed in the living room because she is not able to take the stairs on her own and I am in her upstairs bedroom. I had to leave my job and relocate here on short notice, so am also starting a business and half of the bedroom is a formal office - computers, filing cabinets, the works.
I am an organized person and realize that one of the lessons I am learning through this experience is to release my inner control freak, but honestly, I don't think is it right that four of her six caregivers call the evening before coming and inform her they will be here then next day. Can't they schedule in advance?
To make matters worse, she only has a half-bath downstairs, so twice a week they bring her up through the bedroom/office to get to the shower. And they say they like to keep the door open because it gets too hot in there. My job requires phone calls to clients and vendors and I am training on a new system, so take part in online meetings. Today I am on a go-to-meeting with a telephone headset and up they come. I feel like I am living in an insane asylum!
I have gotten used to the fact that a ten minute doctor appointment takes over three hours schlepping the walker and oxygen in and out of the car, creeping along at zero miles an hour once we arrive to get her into the office, parking the car, then waiting to actually see the doctor or PA. But having four people that randomly appear each week on half a day's notice is too much.
Before I call and speak to a manager, I wanted to see if I am being unrealistic. A two-hour window I can live with, but not knowing until after the close of business the previous day that someone will be here seems wrong.
Thank you for your responses. This is a wild ride and as much as we can, I want us to establish some sense of normalcy and routine.
The OT / PT folks we had coming in for outpatient (home based) therapy, generally set the next appointment as they were leaving the days appointment.
I can't say it was always the same day of the week, but it was more than the night before's warning.
However, I believe a lot of these therapists essentially work freelance, so it's possible we were lucky that the one's we worked with were organized and set the dates in advance.
That said, the office / house situation isn't their fault, so it's likely you'll need to just adjust your expectations around that part of the inconvenience.
The OT / PT folks we had coming in for outpatient (home based) therapy, generally set the next appointment as they were leaving the days appointment.
I can't say it was always the same day of the week, but it was more than the night before's warning.
However, I believe a lot of these therapists essentially work freelance, so it's possible we were lucky that the one's we worked with were organized and set the dates in advance.
That said, the office / house situation isn't their fault, so it's likely you'll need to just adjust your expectations around that part of the inconvenience.
While I do not have a lot of experience with home based therapy, the two agencies that I am familiar with set up the next weeks appointments (next one or two appointments) before they leave the house. They may call that day to say they may be late or slightly early, but my experience is that unless an emergency came up they arrive within 15 minutes of the appointment time, mostly right on time.
My experience has been that appointments are set several days in advance at LEAST. Like others have said, sometimes they are running a little late or a little early but the day is always already predetermined.
Sorry about your mom and your situation by the way. I know it must be very difficult and draining.
I just got on the scales - I was too scared to do so before yesterday - and I gained TWENTY POUNDS over the year that I took intensive care of my two dying inlaws. Every bit of that was stress related. Believe me, I'm on a diet now but sheeze, I couldn't believe those scales. I knew when I was doing it though that I was stress eating. It was a very difficult year. Your description of the trips to the doctor brought back all sorts of very unpleasant memories! I FEEL YOUR PAIN.
Is it realistic to expect outside caregivers - nurse, PT, OT, OT assistant, CNA, palliative care person - to have a routine day that they come each week?
Unfortunately, that seems to be the norm.
When I was taking care of a friend with a broken leg that was wheelchair bound, she'd get calls from the OT & PT, sometimes only an hour prior, saying they would be coming by.
She sometimes would be napping and this would disrupt her personal routine.
I don't get it. You'd think it would be easier all around if there was a set schedule.
Agreed sadly it is the norm. When my mom was taking care of my dad she was having serious issues. He needed 24/7 care at times. My mom would schedule and 50% of the time they would cancel.
You need to speak to them personally, and let them know how important it is for them to have a set schedule to come for the visit.
If that doesn't work, then go to the higher ups and complain.
As far as having the door left open during bath time? That would not be happening. They are to meet your moms needs and keep her comfortable, and warm, not themselves.
Is it realistic to expect outside caregivers - nurse, PT, OT, OT assistant, CNA, palliative care person - to have a routine day that they come each week? Only two of them have established a routine day and time, but four of them call the evening before to inform her they will be here the next day. it is not the same day of the week, but is always on a weekday. Sometimes two come on the same day.
Unless the agency gave you the expectation at the outset that they would be coming the same day each week, no. Providers add and drop patients every week so their caseload shifts each week. This affects their schedule in terms of driving times, region they are covering and how much time it takes to deliver the service to the patient(s). They have to see as many patients as possible to make it worth their while.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnolia Bloom
My mom is on a bed in the living room because she is not able to take the stairs on her own and I am in her upstairs bedroom. I had to leave my job and relocate here on short notice, so am also starting a business and half of the bedroom is a formal office - computers, filing cabinets, the works.
Just from personal experience, I had to stop working when my mom got so sick. I am very grateful that my husband was okay with me doing it. My time is now spent taking her to appointments, monitoring her, trying to keep her spirits up, getting her to eat, etc. Even living in a metropolitan area, the medical appointments are often 30 miles away, in rush hour traffic, sometimes both ways because it's all day when you get an MRI, then see two specialists.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnolia Bloom
I am an organized person and realize that one of the lessons I am learning through this experience is to release my inner control freak, but honestly, I don't think is it right that four of her six caregivers call the evening before coming and inform her they will be here then next day. Can't they schedule in advance?
To make matters worse, she only has a half-bath downstairs, so twice a week they bring her up through the bedroom/office to get to the shower. And they say they like to keep the door open because it gets too hot in there. My job requires phone calls to clients and vendors and I am training on a new system, so take part in online meetings. Today I am on a go-to-meeting with a telephone headset and up they come. I feel like I am living in an insane asylum!
I have gotten used to the fact that a ten minute doctor appointment takes over three hours schlepping the walker and oxygen in and out of the car, creeping along at zero miles an hour once we arrive to get her into the office, parking the car, then waiting to actually see the doctor or PA. But having four people that randomly appear each week on half a day's notice is too much.
It could be (or get) worse. Without the home health option, you could be schlepping your mom to all of those appointments. If there wasn't the hope that your mom can maintain, recover or gain skills, they wouldn't even be coming out. You have something to hope for in your situation. Instead, you could be transferring her in and out of the car in a wheelchair in inclement weather to multiple medical appointments. Actually, you have a lot to be grateful for. At one point I did take my mom to an office for physical therapy. Pro, it was an outing for her and we could set the appointments in advance. Con, it was time consuming to get her in and out of the car in bad weather and if she didn't feel well, we had to reschedule. I had the same issues you are experiencing with home health.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnolia Bloom
Before I call and speak to a manager, I wanted to see if I am being unrealistic. A two-hour window I can live with, but not knowing until after the close of business the previous day that someone will be here seems wrong.
It isn't ideal, and it won't be. What did they tell you at the outset? If they promised more than they are delivering, that's one thing, but I think it is a common practice because being able to set regular times within the constraints they have probably is unrealistic.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnolia Bloom
Thank you for your responses. This is a wild ride and as much as we can, I want us to establish some sense of normalcy and routine.
It is a wild ride. You can and should establish as many routine things as you can but I think it's a bit unrealistic to expect it from home therapy appointments.
I was just coming to look for an answer to this question. I'm not a caregiver, but I've had home health come in after a surgery. Major pain in the you-know-what. I had a surgery in January that didn't require home health to come in, but I do need incontinence supplies. (I had them coming, but then they lapsed and I didn't know that I had to have a doctor's prescription for them.) I got a phone call last night about 7:45, saying that home health had to come do paperwork, etc., to get me set up again. I was told it would be a two or three hour visit. OK, fine.
The appointment was at 1:00. I called at 1:30 to see what was going on. The nurse called me WHILE I was leaving a voicemail for her to tell me she was running late. Seriously? I would never have guessed. She had to take some blood to the hospital and would be on her way. No idea when. So what do you say? I know the fact that I have dogs that had to be put up isn't her fault or responsibility. But I'm not cool with "I'll be there when I get there" at this point. Can you at least give me an estimated time of arrival? So I called her back and left another message, saying we need to reschedule. She called back as I was leaving the message.
So what was she doing? Was she driving? Was she having lunch? (That's fine if she was, but why not call after she heard what my message said instead of calling while I was calling her?) This is the same agency that I had after the first surgery, and I shouldn't have contacted them again. I know that. So now I'm going to get my supplies online and not have to deal with this.
My next surgery is going to be a foot surgery. I know I'll probably need home health to come in, but I already dread it. I hear you. I feel you. Should it be this way? I don't get it.
You need to speak to them personally, and let them know how important it is for them to have a set schedule to come for the visit.
If that doesn't work, then go to the higher ups and complain.
As far as having the door left open during bath time? That would not be happening. They are to meet your moms needs and keep her comfortable, and warm, not themselves.
Good luck!
This. ^^^^^ I have an ill family member and THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT thing is communication. Sit down with each of them and explain what you did to us, and ask if your needs can be accommodated, as you too have been accommodating to your moms needs, but there needs to be a schedule so you can work. As the above poster stated, if you can't get satisfaction call the agency and ask for a supervisor. Prayers to you and your mom.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
