The staff ( nurse and caregivers) at the assisted living facility asked ( demanded) me to help them with the patient ( my client).
I am an independent private licensed caregiver hired by this patient one year ago when she was in her own home. When her care needs increased beyond my physical capacity ( at times, unpredictability, she needs 2-person transfers now) she moved to the assisted living facility. This client ( patient) wanted her original private care team caregivers to continue to care for her - with reduced hours while also relying on the staff at the facility. This is clearly allowed in the facility's paperwork/ documents etc. Recently a staff nurse and additional staff member were needed ( 2 person transfer) to do transfers for this patient because she was having a very weak spell for 4 days. The nurse with her other staff person asked ( demanded) that I help them dress her and do her pericare while they held her upright off the commode. I have never known or witnessed of a need for THREE caregivers to do a toilet transfer and pericare. I replied, no, she is done. (she wiped herself with tissue I offered her after you 2 left her suspended on the commode - asking me to monitor her and ring for help when she was ready. The nurse then turned to the patient and said loudly to her " and you PAY her for that? " - her meaning me.
Lafter there were more interactions,rude- towards me. There were demands that I dress the client- to which I said I can help with her shirt but the client is too weak and CANNOT STAND - .
I called the next day to complain to thedirector/ admin.. She put me on speakerphone and as I began to explain the situation of the day before, with this nurse... This admin. declared that the nurse was there in the room with her. The director then accused me of all sorts of blatant lies related to somehow refusing to help her staff and exploiting this patient. ( There is some kind of expectation from the facility staff as to exactly WHAT I am paid to do for this client- which is really not their business!)
I calmly said these things are not true at all. She ( director)said" are you calling my nurse a liar" ? to which I answered " absolutely". This director then said " I am turning you in to the state for exploitation".
This client/ patient was not harmed in any way, neglected or abused nor exploited! I have been a loyal caring caregiver to her and in close connection with her son, her POA. Does this facility have any right to ask of me or hold me accountable to work for them- help them- etc? Wouldn't that be a liability for the facility?
I wish you good luck. This sounds to me like a sad and fraught situation for the elder you are caring for. Were I in her position I would be quite distressed with all of this.
Your story makes me fear that this woman may lose her ability to stay at a her ALF. The facility does not have to allow a client with a private duty person they find problematic, to remain at the facility. I can't know what possible steps they may take, but the future doesn't look "rosey" to me.
I think you, her son, the Nurse and the Administrator need to sit down and find out what you are being paid for. I have to admit that if you were on duty why you did not help your client? Is your client paying for care at this facility and paying u too? What do you do for the Client? The son needs to get involved at this point and in writing explain what he is paying you for.
You should not be reprimanded by this Nurse, aid or Administrator. You are not their employee. If they feel like there is exploitation on your part, then they need to call the son with their complaints. You should have called the son who is your employer not the Administrator. The son then calls the Administrator. Then you and son discuss the problem. You owe no explanation to the AL. I would say though, when their staff is present, you leave the room.
Come back and tell us how this all works out.