XplodingUnicornGlitter
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Something something sjw.
I've seen a couple posts about home care units and/or CNA/nursing horror stories. I'm here to try and clear a few things up, at least from a CNA point of view.
Alot of women in my family are RNs or CNAs or LPNs. I have worked in alzheimers units, locked mental facilities, residential facilities and out reach programs for close to 7 years.
My biggest piece of advice is if you plan on putting a family member into a care unit: do your fucking research. Alot of abuse and neglect DOES happen. Not everyone is a CNA and not everyone has experience. I worked at alot of places that hired anyone just because they needed bodies.
I had a woman die out of a lower GI bleed in my arms. Her family was not notified until the next morning.
One of my residents had a stroke (on my day off) and went unnoticed for 6 hours. Because she went so long without care, she went on life support and eventually died.
I've witnessed directors steal drugs.
I've witnessed abuse because the caregivers didn't want to do their jobs.
Healthcare in the United States is crap and that extends to units and nursing homes.
You don't want to take care of your family members? Pay for quality care. You get what you pay for.
That being said: there are alot of us that DO care and love what we do.
If healthcare in the US is going to change, it needs to start in your community.
TL;DR if you don't want a Ben Stiller type threatening your mom or grandma over warm milk, make sure doing your due diligence and doing research and looking into the BBB, Labor Board and any *ANY* complaints.
***FP edit*** i was drunk when I wrote this so I apologize for "alot", I know it's "a lot". Honestly didn't think anyone would care enough to upvote this so I didn't really think about which meme I should have used. Guess I could have used unpopular opinion puffin? I'm sure I'd get shit for that too though since the need for better health care isn't an unpopular opinion. Um I guess send me pictures of your dogs.
42ndLifetime
I have several healthcare professionals in my family, and they will tell you this is gospel.
tacopartyinyourmouth
I'm not an RN but I've spent my entire life caring for my bed bound mother who has MS. I have unending respect for people like you @OP
hadtochangeusernameforreasons
I've been taking care of my mom for 8 years bed bound as well...
VenomousFangs
I normally would just ignore this and move on, but you got my +1
RWM90
Normally I would just ignore this and move on...so I am
tybrosion
Cool story but not a confession
Yeoyo
Was looking for this comment. I dont know how more people arent saying it
JohnnyLawlessEsq
Maybe if we paid these people more money to do that job...
sjravsten
I work in a rehab facility as a CNA, and I LOVE my job. Not everyone cares correctly But a lot of us do. Know your state # for abuse/neglect
NurseKatInTheHat
My grandma had alzheimer's disease and bounced around facilities. One of which she was molested & being fired was the only punishment. Sucks
Sacabbage
Hot
NurseKatInTheHat
Scum
FlintstonesChewableMorphine
It's ok cause they aren't paid much?
ameowica
I jokingly tell my parents I'll put them in a home sometimes... now not so much.
macfett
APieceOfFuckingShit
allot, however, is a word
AmyFarris
Hi. M a live in caregiver for an elderly woman affilcted by alzheimers and i love her. Her children employ me full time and pay me well.
AmyFarris
They are also very observant of my needs for free me time and my benefits. This leads to better standard of life for both me and my patient.
lb01
I honestly respect people that are in healthcare. Hearing these types of things going makes me not want to put anyone I know in anything
XplodingUnicornGlitter
Don't. Honestly, it really would save you a shit load of money and heartbreak just to take care of sick family members at home or have 1/
XplodingUnicornGlitter
2 Part time staff just come to your/their home.
Incidentally
I've had to wipe my mom's ass. I wish we had a home care person I'd only so I could have had some professional help. Instead I lost my mind.
Luckyanomaly
Serious question: Is 6k/mo (private pay) enough to expect quality care from a memory care facility?
XplodingUnicornGlitter
Absolutely. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean it will happen.
mrschivers
The issue is many people can't afford quality care, and those are the same people who can't afford to stop working. Double edged sword.
Junktrunkjunkie
Sometimes it takes a community... My grandmother was living on her own after Grandpa died. Her nieghbors husband got Alzheimers and ->
Junktrunkjunkie
-> became too much for her to handle. So my Grandmother let her move in with her so she could sell her home and give him some proper care.
SleepySlideGuy
you can take care of them and get paid, I worked for The Whole Person for many years before my brother passed away.
annawrecksya
Do you mean get paid with social security? Or you can work for the whole person, and they pay you while you take care of family member?
SleepySlideGuy
they pay you by using grants from the goverment or their ssi for taking care of your family, His monthly income also didnt change
annawrecksya
Awesome, ill have to look more into that. I googled briefly but it looked like it was a Missouri thing! Thanks!!
WildSaskatoon
Washington state has similar programs. Search "in home care". Mimimum wage (maybe a bit more) for however many hours they deem needed.
PurplePixieUK
Depends on the provisions of the country you're in.
JoblessJimbo
This. My gpa lost 80-90% of his life savings before he could get any assistance when my gma went into a care facility. It's insanely pricey.
naruku
I was wondering how your grade point average lost its savings.
toyotasandwich
And then I was wondering what grade moint average is
lottahullabaloo
No elderly resident should be subjected to landscaping duty.
MyDogJake
You sure say alot alot. Also alot is not a word.
idontwanttochooseausername
THANK YOU.
MyDogJake
My eye twitched every time. Sad fact: Most phones don't autocorrect the word. I think it'll become accepted in a generation.
idontwanttochooseausername
Noooooo. It's such a simple thing and so many people get it so damn wrong
FriendlyNeighborhoodGrammarPerson
My bf is a caregiver/med tech at an assisted living facility (costs $3000+ per month). He only makes $10 an hour but still does his best.
FriendlyNeighborhoodGrammarPerson
Ridiculous employee turnover rate. Bad employees aren't fired, just written up, and then their write-ups disappear. Corrupt management.
lifeisapicnic
CNAs deserve more. But people are living longer and longer and our economy just isn't prepared. It's complicated
TheGirlWhoCouldNotEven
My grandfather was put in a home due to dementia. When he arrived he was walking, talking and laughing. Two months later he was bed bound1/?
TheGirlWhoCouldNotEven
And was barely even able to move his arms. Turned out they had given him way to much medication and he had to be rushed to the hospital 2/?
TheGirlWhoCouldNotEven
They managed to save him and when he got back to the nursing home they wanted to put him on the same god damn meds. He starts to feel 3/?
TheGirlWhoCouldNotEven
Better but not long after that he broke his hip which they aparantly didn't notice. He had a broken hip for 3 fucking days before my 4/?
TheGirlWhoCouldNotEven
Mother realized something was up. He was rushed to the hospital yet again and we were told to prepare for the worst. He makes it and my 5/?
TheGirlWhoCouldNotEven
And is* returned to the home. They do nothing to help him after the surgery (I'm not sure what it's called in english but has something 6/?
BonnieBigheart
I work in youth psychiatric residential and I'm currently in disgust at how the facility is being ran. We've had several abuse allegations
TheMonsterWithinYou
As a CNA I make 14.83/hour. Regardless of that pay. It's no excuse to abuse anyone or violate HIPAA.
shadowkin13
Holy fuck I only make 9.00, that being said I'm not CNA atm, but I am looking to take classes.
Loriborn
$14?? I make $11 in a pretty high cost-of-living city.
thirtyhelensagree
100% true, but sadly not all people in the profession have those same values.
wavybaby
Where are you living that you only make 14.83? Omg :( I make 19.52
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wavybaby
I'm on the west coast of Canada and also a new CNA (HCA here) just sad the difference in pay... you deserve so much more!
TheMonsterWithinYou
yeah, when I started out no one was replying to me. I was so desperate for a job i didn't think to ask for at least $16 :\ but idk how (1)
TheMonsterWithinYou
to ask for a raise.. Im worried they'd fire me first... (2/2)
OldIronsides
Holy shit I was so underpaid! I started out a $7.50 left making $9.03 5 years later...
Camali45
Pfft I used to make 10 and be left on a floor of 30 very dependent care pts alone for hours. I quit after 3 months of not getting help.
thirtyhelensagree
100% true, but sadly not all people in the profession have those same values.
sheef27
I hate that medical care itself is so outrageously expensive but emts, and nurses, get paid shit money. Biggest corporate bullshit ever.
RIPSlurmsMckenzie
I can't speak for all RNs, but I've work with a lot in the Chicagoland area and they make a very good living.
sheef27
I just know ambulances are the most expensive thing on the planet and the emts make shit. My son only got transport, not even care on it 1/
RIPSlurmsMckenzie
Completely agree on the ambulance run being way expensive (I work in healthcare). I was just saying most (not all) RNs make a good living.
RIPSlurmsMckenzie
They work hard as shit for it too.
sheef27
Basically a 5 mile taxi ride and it was 2200 dollars. No medical items or anything used so where does the money even go?
takethetive
I wanted to read this but the acronyms make me think too hard. I hope you got your point across.
XplodingUnicornGlitter
GI (bleed) = Gastrointestinal. She bleed out from her intestines.
XplodingUnicornGlitter
RN= Registered Nurse CNA = Certified Nursing Assistant LPN= Licensed Practical Nurse
ShibeDogeBork
My Grandma had to go into a facility when I couldn't take care of her by myself, she had Alzheimer's. I was the facilities worst 1/2
ShibeDogeBork
2/2 nightmare, I was on them for EVERYTHING and there every day. They were not used to that.
Luckyanomaly
How did you keep up? Where you working full time?
ShibeDogeBork
I was 18 at the time and made her my priority over all else. Since my Mom did nothing to help.
JustARichard
Getting that involved probably means you're in the health field now
monadi
You get what you fucking pay for. Thank you. That's a huge problem with our society wanting the cheapest everything and not realizing ...
monadi
That not only are they getting lesser quality & having to purchase the thing over & over, they're contributing to a society of amateurs 2/3
monadi
Ruining the market & putting professionals who charge more out of a job. There has to be a turning point soon when nobody has any work. 3/3
Luckyanomaly
AsAScholar
Ok so my only problem with this post is the confession bear statement. Even if some people were willing to wipe their mothers ass...they 1/3
AsAScholar
Might not be able because of situations...also...you signed up..you were hired for this job at minimum wage you accepted it. Do your job 2/3
AsAScholar
Dont pawn off responsibilities on families when despite the wage you accepted it. You might not like it....move on. Quit..dont abuse people.
ked1892
They go through employees like it's nothing and ones that raise complaints often get silenced.
ked1892
Should you choose to put your family members in a home...and yes it's a very common occurancs. I worked in a place like this.
ked1892
Family they are there to make money. While that doesn't make it right it's generally true and lets you know what's going to most likely
ked1892
Pretty sure OP is implying the general public accepting the job outside of nurses and sometimes even nurses don't give a fuck about your
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ked1892
The place I worked at couldn't afford to give raises not one in 7 years. People came and went constantly. Like 60-70% turnover. Those people
ked1892
And while this is true, many people in other jobs underpreform or slack off doing as little as they can op is saying this is the care level
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ked1892
We're improperly trained and often didn't care at all. Reporting them only lead to an investigation where they ended up coming back. Often.
ked1892
That you can expect if you put your family in there. Not that it's acceptable. You're very naive if you think that others are going to care
thee2
I'm a CNA and damn government. They allow two CNAs for 54 residents just not right.
TheMonsterWithinYou
Uh what? 2 CNAs for 54? That's illegal as fuck and a hazard concern. Call your state and Complain also call HR.
catsrn
I'm interested to see your staffing grid. That's fucked
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catsrn
That's not safe for the patients or for you
thee2
You just cry some nights
Bigbadsmell
Welcome to america.. this is extremely rare in northern europe. And people go to jail over even the sligthest neglect.
Gawky
I worked in the elder home care here in europe and these types of neglect gets picked up fast by the media and people get fired and fined
Scahrossar
Its happening more and more here as well, tho not this bad.
TheGirlWhoCouldNotEven
Yeah that's not true at all.
channelranger
For neglect- not abuse- good care is affected hard by work load- lots of facilities here don't have enough people to get the job done proper
thelonepig
OK I'm shipping my dad off to Europe when he starts getting old. Older.
TheGirlWhoCouldNotEven
I'm in northern Europe and my grandfather was killed due to neglect at the home we had to put him in.
YamasGirl
I'm an RN and have worked in nursing homes. They are the TERRIBLY unsafe. 50 patients to 1 nurse...that's how you fucking kill people.
TheLetterKay
Yeah, but honestly I'm not cut out for caring for even 1 person. I forget to feed my cat all the time...
XplodingUnicornGlitter
I used to dispense medication and do security/wake up by myself for 69 people in a mental facility. Never again. My aunt is an RN and I 1/
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XplodingUnicornGlitter
Have no idea how you guys put up with it. You really are superheroes or saints or something.
kutakino
Yeah that's absolutely nuts. I work as a cook in a long-term + rehab facility, we're at about 15 per nurse on average with 3 CNAs
channelranger
Same issue for the CNAs. Lots of the neglect is because you're only given so much time, and what your coworkers see is how fast you did 1/2
channelranger
it, not how well you did it. It's an issue of work load in lots of places.
mwppmarauders
The hospital I worked at as an aide was like that. VERY bad staff ratios. You tell people you worked there, they immediately apologize.
dootnoodle
In nursing school, just got my cna doing geriatrics. I was totally stunned. Sometimes it's not even neglect it's that there are 2 cnas tryin
dootnoodle
To get 18 immobile people out of bed washed and dressed ready to eat before 8am.
azgrak
I used to deliver supplies to nursing homes and have been in hundreds. If it smells like piss you know you're in a bad one.
catsrn
I just cannot comprehend this. Our staffing is nowhere near this ratio
mwppmarauders
I worked somewhere where nurses had 8-9 patients who were total care/with a trach/on a vent//with a G tube/on a million medications (1/2)
mwppmarauders
(2/2) Where I work now, the most we will ever have is 5 patients, and that's a busy night. Normal load is 4. In comparison, it's wonderful.
catsrn
Out of curiosity, what kind of floor do you work on now vs. before?
mwppmarauders
Now, intermediate cardiac unit. Before, long term acute care.
catsrn
It sickens me that management sees patients as numbers and doesn't do staffing based on actual needs
catsrn
My dad was on an intermediate cardiac unit after his cath. Though he wasn't your pt, I appreciate you and have to say thanks
slinkhi
It's the same people who complain the employees at a McJob aren't Einstein 4 star chefs who deliver world class service and products.
slinkhi
It's the same people who spend $10 on some knockoff brand instead of $100 on the name brand and then complain the quality isn't the same.
XplodingUnicornGlitter
Pretty much anyone who sucks, right?
slinkhi
It's the same people who go to a walk-in clinic expecting the same level of service / competency as a private doctor.
slinkhi
It's the same people who hire a $2/hr dev and expect the same level of coding/service as a $50/hr dev
olegh
Lack of competency and not giving a shit are two different things. You should always be morally obliged to do your best, imo
slinkhi
It's the same people who go to a rent by the hour motel and then complain when it's not Four Seasons
slinkhi
It's the same people who buy "I can't believe it's not butter" and then complain that it's not butter.