Caregivers revisted

[TexasProud]

Ok, Omicron feels like it has changed this. I had 2 caregivers, but lost one. She has 2 other full time jobs though caring for people, so I get that. The nurse had her help out when I needed that for an emergency weekend. She brought in a friend who is a CNA, but I haven't met her yet.  She has only been to my mom's maybe twice.  Anyway, there have been no caregivers for the last 2 weeks because the remaining one got the flu. She said she was still coughing a lot on Sunday and I told her to wait until after Christmas.  Last week my sister was there all week and left Sunday. My aunt will be there tomorrow through early next week. I will be there the 30th.  My step-brother will be there off and on 1st-5th.  My husband will be out of the country from 5th- Feb 20th. So really, I could stay there. 

Anyway, I don't have a clue if the remaining caregiver will work or not. She didn't call to tell me she had the flu. She just didn't show up. When I texted her she then told me she has the flu. Since I don't know her, I don't know if she was being truthful.  My husband had contacted an agency before we found the two caregivers, and we could contact them.

But in the age of omicron, is that even safe to have someone in the house when my mom is so medically fragile and so is my step-father?  I know everyone said keep caregivers, but now that they are starting to flake out. I just don't know what to do.

[Katy]

I don’t know either. Hugs. 

[Mrs Tiggywinkle]

I would contact the agency. You really do need to keep caregivers.  Omnicron will peak and dissipate, but there’s likely to be another variant, especially considering how widespread it is and how many potential hosts there are.  So I would not just let it go until this wave has gone.
An agency can help you navigate a lot of things, including no shows and call outs.

Edited December 21, 2021 by Mrs Tiggywinkle

[TexasProud]

On 12/21/2021 at 9:28 AM, Mrs Tiggywinkle said:

I would contact the agency. You really do need to keep caregivers.  Omnicron will peak and dissipate, but there’s likely to be another variant, especially considering how widespread it is and how many potential hosts there are.  So I would not just let it go until this wave has gone.
An agency can help you navigate a lot of things, including no shows and call outs.

Ok, the ones we have/had are not through an agency. The home health nurse gave me a recommendation when I needed the emergency care so I could see my daughter's program. Then that woman brought the other woman in.  So I guess next week I may contact the other agency.  The thing is, mom is doing fine without it right now. So it will be hard for me to convince her she needs it. 

[Bambam]

I would definitely contact the local agencies. They are better set up to make sure shifts are covered since they have multiple employees that are already vetted. 

Another option might be to find a retired nurse who might be interested in working part time? Not as reliable potentially as an agency but possibly more qualified? 

As for convincing her, if money isn't an issue, let her know it helps you and your siblings to know someone is there helping her?