r/HomeHealthAide

I'm kind of ADD and I forgot a client's birthday. She was furious with me even though i have never celebrated her birthday before, not has she ever celebrated mine. She shouted at me a lot and nitpicked everything I did that day. I had no idea why she was mad at me. She had just gotten back from a cruise. She probably told me when her birthday was beforehand but I forgot to put it in my calendar. Did I mess up? I love to celebrate birthdays but I am both busy and forgetful.

Hi reddit, back with an update and asking for tips on how to care for dementia patients. 

link to my original post, read for context:

https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeHealthAide/comments/1t32kbh/just_another_barley_trained_new_in_home_care_aide/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=post_embed&utm_term=1&utm_content=1

I did talk to my bosses and thankfully the care coordinator came to help me… for like 3 more days. And she was an hour late… and left early. So I still don’t think I’m trained enough. However I’m more comfortable asking for help from the son if I need it. The care coordinator did show me a better way of lifting her when it’s time to get her on the toilet. I’m only there for 3 hours and usually the family wants her to sit on the toilet once while I’m there. This is the hardest part of my shift; she only has one leg and it’s pretty hard to get them on when it’s wet because she clenches her one leg and she has alot of flab. Plus she’s pretty weak so she’s never standing upright, and never for more than like 15 seconds. I have her give me a hug, hold her up while trying to pull the depends over her bottom. I have ripped like 5 depends just trying to get a new one for her. But again, this is the hardest part of my shift. They want her to sit on the toilet so doing it on the bed doesn’t really make sense. She’d have to use the toilet, then i’d have to wheel her to the bed with no underwear on to get the diaper on. I haven’t tried it but i think it might be slightly easier even though it may take longer.

The rest of it is just sitting with her. She has a beautiful property so I wheel her outside alot to sit on the porch and she seems to enjoy it. Or we sit inside at the table. We have blocks, books and stuff to color with. She also likes to hold a cloth and wipe the table down. I have been reading some articles about good activities to do with her that I am comfortable with. She has a really good grip and rips stuff alot. I also help with feeding. She has a tendency to push her plate away, try to flip it, or use her water cup (closed lid with straw) and try to pour it all over on her food. With patience (I try not to go over 40 minutes) she’ll eat most of it. It’s kinda hard to wrestle the cup from her, again she has a really good grip. I tried bringing some apples so we can both eat together. 

I don’t think I’m there to improve her memory, more of an aide that helps keep her safe and companionship. But I would love to know what kind of triggers she has and how to relieve them. Sometimes I think whe there’s alot of stuff on the table it overwhelms her. Also if anyone has tips on how to put depends on while standing up with with limited mobility? Or tips on what we could do together?

I need some help. My father has severe incontinence issues he wears depends but still cannot make it to the toilet for number 2. I need to know any tricks and a cleaner to use. It gets on carpet, flooring, walls and on the bathtub. I am shampooing the carpet regularly. I just need to know some tricks and cleaners. Doctors are aware. I am just trying to not loose my mind with this. I check on my dad twice a day everyday at the same time it usually dry by the time I get there in the afternoon.

I’ve been working with a super sweet 90+ year old who lives by herself in her own home, she does have a touch of dementia so her daughter calls her everyday & I think drops by after work either every day or a few times a week. I’ve been helping in her house for about 1 1/2 years, 1 day a week and last week I had to report mouse droppings on her kitchen counters & in her cupboards.
I noticed today she has been removed from my client list and I am not scheduled to go to her house. I feel awful, when I was leaving her house the last time I was there, she kept telling me she did not want me to go & I let her know that I’d be back next week. No one from my agency has said anything to me either, I just noticed on the app she was no longer listed as a client & I’m not scheduled to see her.

For those of you working as home health aides and caregivers. I am a researcher but worked for many years as a home aide to support myself through college. It made me curious, since I've been away from that work for a while. If you could tell someone what needs to be better studied or understood about your job, what would it be?

I live in FL with my elderly mother. I am busy during the day, so I am unable to care for her. I simply need a caregiver who can look after my mother at will once I contact them.

This home health aide business is really testing my patience. I can’t find a client to save my life, even though I’m an employee who actually wants to work and has no negative history. New Century Home Care is some bullshit.