care work - difficult people

stripedwellies

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

The whole system needs an overhaul.

Too right!

They give 30 minutes but if there is nothing to do I can leave earlier as long as Ive been 15+.

That says it all for me. They are actively encouraging staff to short change the clients with that statement and back to back appointments.
And what will be the first thing to suffer? The all important chit chat for the poor souls that get to see nobody else.:mad:

stripedwellies

Just a thought....
How about using this thread to report back your next four sessions with the woman. Posters can add their thoughts.
It's probably better than the training you'll get from that agency. It's all about cost-cutting and saving. Proper care goes out of the window.

Hopefully you've taken on board that:
she is your employer
she had a point about the shower. You should always check that clients haven't been lying for hours on the floor
the interaction is just as if not more important than the tasks required
more mentally alert clients will notice the short changing of time.

Errata

honeyD wrote: »

I meant gossipping with clients about other clients, not the other workers...

You didn't make that clear. Your response about gossiping was in answer to Liney's post about you discussing matters with your colleagues.

MrsE_2

honeyD wrote: »

Yes I guess so, if she pays it herself, Im not sure if the government pay it as I think they do for some? I know there have been big issues with the times she is given for the call which she isnt happy with and Ive tried to fix this myself speaking to those in charge but nothing really changes and Im not happy about that myself.
They give 30 minutes but if there is nothing to do I can leave earlier as long as Ive been 15+. The company does not pay for travelling. They set up my rota to where some days I dont have time to get from call to call so I have to cut times down for some to be able to get to this lady in time since she doesnt like me arriving early or late. Usually means I rush like crazy to get there on time.

There are others but its mostly me during the week 5 out of 7.

If the work is done and she requires nothing else then I leave. And no I was there over 20 minutes that day before she had even asked me.

.

If shes paying for 30 minutes, surely shes entitled to 30 minutes?
If I had a cleaner I paid for say 2 full hours I would expect her to find things to do to use the time I was paying for.

There is always something to do, its only an extra 15 minutes, even if you chatted to her.

I would guess thats a lot of the conflict.

The bit in blue, the company are greedy ******** & are screwing everyone, clients & carers alike.

stripedwellies

MrsE wrote: »

If shes paying for 30 minutes, surely shes entitled to 30 minutes?

Yes as are the clients ( who don't make a fuss) before the difficult woman

so I have to cut times down for some to be able to get to this lady in time since she doesnt like me arriving early or late.

MrsE_2

stripedwellies wrote: »

Yes as are the clients ( who don't make a fuss) before the difficult woman

Yes, they all are.

The agency are the ones causing this problem.

But they encourage it by paying half hour for 20 minutes work.

seven-day-weekend

The care company are exploiting both you and the clients if they allow you no travelling time.

I personally would start looking for a job with a different company.

stripedwellies

MrsE wrote: »

Yes, they all are.

The agency are the ones causing this problem.

But they encourage it by paying half hour for 20 minutes work.

Yes as per post 42 but I think many agencies use this model.

jackieb

It's not fair on you, or her, that you can't stay your full half hour. We have monthly 1-1 reviews at our work with one of the seniors, and we can bring up any problems we have. Do you get something similar?

The lady might just want company, but as i've said before, some people are just difficult and don't want help. I would talk to the lady that didn't get on with me, and she'd tell me to shut up. She wouldn't open the curtains, let me talk, or even have the TV on. She wouldn't let me do anything in her house - so we used to both sit in the dark, in silence. So i'd be quiet, and when I wasn't talking she'd ask me what I was there for as I was a waste of space - and I was there for 2 hours at a time. I used to dread it. My work could never get anyone else to go.

Oh, btw, we have had other difficult service users. Our work tells us to go off to another room if we're getting abuse. If it still carries on we're allowed to leave and come back. If nothing improves then we can leave but must we tell them the reason for it, and it must be reported to the manager. I've never had to leave a house before though. My employers are pretty good, and understanding.

speedbird1973

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

Yes I worked in many of them years before you were born and I saw things which were harrowing to say the least.

I have friends who still do the same work and still tell the same stories, very scary.

The whole system needs an overhaul.

The social services standards scheme is a joke.

How beautifully patronising! So you were working in care homes at the age of 11! I provide consultancy for most of the UK care home providors, and companies like Castleoak that provision care homes.

Unfortunatly the big issue at the moment is not carers and the training. It's the huge deficit of care beds that is looming. The priority will be staffing at existing standards to meet the future needs, not upping the skill set and qualification of carers. Care homes locate are located close to good sources of labour, not where the old people are stagnating. It does take a certain type of person to do a demanding job for s0d all money!

I don't disagree with your thought that the system needs an overhaul, but it's not going to happen, and there are more pressing issues to be faced in the care sector. I'm afraid you and your friends know a lot less than you think.