Carer hygiene and professional standards

Dormit · 2026-08-22T08:22:18+00:00

Should carers have a uniform, or at least wear appropriate clothing for care work in a client’s home? Are very long false nails acceptable for care work when there is food prep and manual handling? Would you be happy if carers turned up in leggings and a crop top displaying a multitude of tattoos, had 1.5inch false nails and don’t think washing their hands is necessary? Would you expect a meal to be presented nicely instead of slapped on a plate like they’re serving in a roadside greasy spoon? Whole tin of salmon mashed between two slices of unbuttered bread anyone? No drink, no napkin, no tray, no fruit, no crisps, no anything that the client usually has. Then buggering off after 15 minutes instead of staying for the 30 minutes they are paid for. These are the least of the issues to be honest and it’s all being investigated but yesterday’s experience was a new low. I’ve been told my standards are too high by expecting them to wash their hands and do what they are paid to do. Im ending up spending about 3 hours a week fixing their mistakes.

Baldrapunzel · 26/08/2026 14:17

The tattoos aren't relevant but everything else is, including clothes. What a nightmare OP. Sorry your Mum's going through this.

PermanentTemporary · 26/08/2026 14:07

I would complain as much as you need to. In my experience nothing changes until you do.

Long and/or painted nails are a hygiene risk.

If your Mum has the cash for a private package you do have a bit more control.

ShetlandishMum · 23/08/2026 14:10

Dormit · 23/08/2026 10:08

I think some of the problems we’ve had are because of lack of communication within the agency. Mum’s needs are very simple and well documented in her care plan but nobody seems to have read it. Some look at her and are confused why she needs carers because she’s mobile, with a walker. She has a severe physical condition that puts her at risk of falls and can’t stand for long enough to do her own meals. She has a commode for nighttime because walking to the bathroom at night presents a danger. She can’t lift laundry into and out of the machine and hang it on the line or clothes horse. She can’t take the bin out to empty it. She’s at risk of weight loss and dehydration due to poor appetite and lack of inclination to drink. Is at risk of UTIs due to a chronic bladder condition and dehydration. This is all well documented in her care plan with instructions to always provide a hot and cold drink and encourage with food.
I do everything else for her, so that’s the cleaning and gardening, shopping for food, and gifts for birthdays and Christmas, organising medical and other appointments, finding tradesmen, finances, sorting her medication issues and speaking with medical professionals about things because she forgets or gets muddled with a lot of information. I really love helping her and we are very close. The carers are there mainly for meals and to put the washing on when I’m not there. The breakfast carer puts the washing on and the lunchtime one hangs it out. Dinner time one brings it in. Mum puts it away herself, or I’ll do it for her if I’m there and it’s not been done.
She’s had some great carers but they’ve all left, bar one.
I’ll be contacting the social worker tomorrow to see where things are up to.

Sadly, posters are right in that the care industry is poorly paid, hard to recruit for and has employees that are not suited to the job. There’s a very high turnover of staff in this agency due to the way management treat them. 95% of the carers come in complaining about the management which isn’t professional.

It really makes me wonder what people are like at home when I see how good has been cooked and presented. I don’t think anybody hangs out their own washing or makes a cup of tea, or washes dishes by hand. The lack of basic life skills is astounding. My dc looks in horror at some of the things they do/make and Mum sometimes has a laugh about it but mainly despairs. I’m firmly of the opinion that if you don’t know how to do something or you don’t know how someone likes something you ask. Even a guest to the house gets asked how they like their tea/coffee. I don’t assume they like it the same way I do. There’s no initiative in the carers. I find that hard to get my head round because it was something that’s been instilled in me since I was a child. Use your initiative Dormit! Come on now, think! Use your common sense! And if you don’t know, ask!
I probably expect too much although these carers are usually in their late 20s upwards so not young adults who might not have life experience.

You get what people are trained for (nothing) and paid for (low pay, hard work, terrible conditions).

Basically no one want to work as a carer and turnover is very high.

It won't change before conditions are better in this field for workers.
It would mean more taxes allocated to care and realistic it is not going to happen.

Highlandsarehome · 23/08/2026 13:31

I dont know your area but in Scotland a carer had a warning put on her registration this week for not staying the allocated time. Something this person maybe needs to know?

TheBlueKoala · 23/08/2026 12:29

@Dormit Problem is many of them really hate their jobs and find it demeaning and therefore resents the clients. They don't see why they should make an effort for the low status and low pay. Whereas someone a little bit older would have more consiseration and compassion for the person even though the pay is shit. I think it's better to recruit carers yourself if possible.

Original poster

Dormit · 23/08/2026 10:08

I think some of the problems we’ve had are because of lack of communication within the agency. Mum’s needs are very simple and well documented in her care plan but nobody seems to have read it. Some look at her and are confused why she needs carers because she’s mobile, with a walker. She has a severe physical condition that puts her at risk of falls and can’t stand for long enough to do her own meals. She has a commode for nighttime because walking to the bathroom at night presents a danger. She can’t lift laundry into and out of the machine and hang it on the line or clothes horse. She can’t take the bin out to empty it. She’s at risk of weight loss and dehydration due to poor appetite and lack of inclination to drink. Is at risk of UTIs due to a chronic bladder condition and dehydration. This is all well documented in her care plan with instructions to always provide a hot and cold drink and encourage with food.
I do everything else for her, so that’s the cleaning and gardening, shopping for food, and gifts for birthdays and Christmas, organising medical and other appointments, finding tradesmen, finances, sorting her medication issues and speaking with medical professionals about things because she forgets or gets muddled with a lot of information. I really love helping her and we are very close. The carers are there mainly for meals and to put the washing on when I’m not there. The breakfast carer puts the washing on and the lunchtime one hangs it out. Dinner time one brings it in. Mum puts it away herself, or I’ll do it for her if I’m there and it’s not been done.
She’s had some great carers but they’ve all left, bar one.
I’ll be contacting the social worker tomorrow to see where things are up to.

Sadly, posters are right in that the care industry is poorly paid, hard to recruit for and has employees that are not suited to the job. There’s a very high turnover of staff in this agency due to the way management treat them. 95% of the carers come in complaining about the management which isn’t professional.

It really makes me wonder what people are like at home when I see how good has been cooked and presented. I don’t think anybody hangs out their own washing or makes a cup of tea, or washes dishes by hand. The lack of basic life skills is astounding. My dc looks in horror at some of the things they do/make and Mum sometimes has a laugh about it but mainly despairs. I’m firmly of the opinion that if you don’t know how to do something or you don’t know how someone likes something you ask. Even a guest to the house gets asked how they like their tea/coffee. I don’t assume they like it the same way I do. There’s no initiative in the carers. I find that hard to get my head round because it was something that’s been instilled in me since I was a child. Use your initiative Dormit! Come on now, think! Use your common sense! And if you don’t know, ask!
I probably expect too much although these carers are usually in their late 20s upwards so not young adults who might not have life experience.

OP posts:

Calibrate · 23/08/2026 09:22

I did a short stint as a home carer a few years ago.

The amount of time the carers are there needs bringing up with the agency/social services as it is unlikely this is the carers fault.

As an example, I would have a client from 8am - 8.30. However, my next client was from 8.30 - 9am. Now unless I had a time machine, it was impossible to be with each client for the alloted time. I would invariably be both late, and have to leave early, with each client only getting 20 - 25 minutes of the 30 minutes they had paid for.

Training was minimal, while in theory we had a couple of days training at the office, it was fire safety, basic first aid and record keeping. I guess they thought we would know how to make and present a sandwich and wash someone, but not all do, particularly youngsters. We would have uniform provided.

The training and allocation of time slots need to be better managed by the agencies employing carers, but I have seen little positive change. Unfortunately the care industry is difficult to recruit for, hence sometimes not getting people who are appropriate.

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 23/08/2026 08:29

Washing hands and frequently , absolutely!

No long nails... Rank otherwise. And cross infection risk.

They should be wearing apron over clothes unless no personal care tasks...

Wouldn't care about uniform or not... But should be safe clothes /shoes... No very high heels with slippy soles etc.

Tattoos? Fine as long as not racist /sexist... Many folk have them

Presenting food? Would help to make it appetising

Only staying for 1/2 the time they're paid for.?? Hard no.

menopausequeen · 23/08/2026 08:20

Meadowfinch · 22/08/2026 09:38

What they wear is irrelevant as are tattoos and fingernails.

Washing their hands and staying the allotted time are not optional though.
Presentation of food is subjective. Have you provided a pack of serviettes and asked the carer to add one to the tray?

Finger nails are an issue for hand hygiene

it all sounds unprofessional

can you change company? Or request a supervisor carries out some checks

PersephoneParlormaid · 23/08/2026 07:07

Ask to see the uniform policy. But to be honest, as they struggle to fill posts, they will probably let it slide.

stillhiding1990 · 23/08/2026 07:04

Moveoverdarlin · 22/08/2026 18:54

The only thing that would bother me out of all the things mentioned would be not buttering bread.

So you would be happy for someone to change someone colostomy bag, not wash hands, drive to yours and make a sandwich as long as bread buttered?

PurpleBadgers · 23/08/2026 06:40

I don’t care what my carers wear or if they have visible tattoos. The other stuff is poor care and needs mentioning to the care agency. However, all of this stuff is unfortunately really really common so you may end up going through a few agencies before you find one that meets your needs.

Imisssleep88 · 23/08/2026 06:07

When my grandad has careers coming in, I believe they always had a uniform top and their own trousers, you can't dictate if they have/display tattoos. But they should wash their hands or wear gloves, I don't know the rules on nails but if not washing their hands is a great place for germs to stay.

Our carers always made the lunch as instructed/left out/ in the fridge.

We lived with my grandad but they came in for extra support and when we were working.

You do have to be so careful in this sector, there is alot of genuine lovely ones but also alot of lazy ones that want to do the bare minimum. If it was a better paid job, maybe they would attract better people. I know you prob pay high, but unless your paying direct, the agency will only be paying minimum wage or just above at best sadly

triile · 22/08/2026 21:54

Parcelpass · 22/08/2026 11:22

Im not sure about some of your post. 30 minutes is not very long to russell up a lunch. Maybe state ideas and leave a list.

Can you just ask for another carer?

Edited

30 mins is loads! We would get that as a pair to hoist, wash, change pads and catheter bag, change clothing, make comfortable in bed, give meds, wash up and fill in a care book
in 30 mins single I can make a lunch, wash up, give meds, chat at the same time, empty a commode and clean it and fill in a care book

liquoriceallsortfamily · 22/08/2026 21:52

I know of a dodgy carer who worked for a care company who had to scan in and out.

She had sneakily taken a photo of the qr codes and and printed them off so she could scan them after the alloted time when she’d buggered off elsewhere but in reality had only done a visit for a few minutes.

She was laughing when she said this. It made me sick!

It’s essentially fraud as well as not fair on the person who needs caring for.

Victorius19 · 22/08/2026 21:47

I worked in a nursing home and then in domestic care, and was often horrified by other carers hygiene/appearance. I took my engagement ring off so it couldn't scratch anyone, took earrings out, had clean uniform daily and didn't wear perfume. When you're in someone's personal space, the least you can do is be clean/hygienic.

I did report those with long talons, not only does it look chavvy but it's so unfair on clients. Even through gloves, they are not safe around delicate elderly skin.

Chasingthequietlife · 22/08/2026 21:43

So sorry to hear this, it is just awful. We had horrendous experiences with CareMark. We now use a PA company and they are amazing. The level of care, but more than anything, the dignity and positive impact on wellbeing is incomparable.

Also, they stick to agreed times so we can plan getting out too. I don’t think a uniform is required but appropriate dress is. Basic food hygiene levels are not being met by the sounds of it!

cortex10 · 22/08/2026 21:38

Can you ask for a ‘direct payment’ from the local authority instead of them employing the carers and use those funds plus her contribution to engage your own care company - that’s what we plan to do for MIL.

Momon45 · 22/08/2026 21:33

I would expect them to wear clothing appropriate for caring for an elderly person not crop top and leggins . The nails are a health risk and dangerous when physically looking after someone . I wouldn't like the fact that someone is covered in tats but it's not something I feel I could complain about unfortunately. She sounds as if she hasn't much idea about hygiene or encouraging a person to eat by making the food look appealing. The carers my Mum had were always well presented and professesional. When I required carers they were the same . I'd complain .

ShetlandishMum · 22/08/2026 21:19

Dormit · 22/08/2026 17:56

The carers are via social services. This is the third care agency they’ve tried and this has been the best one. The old manager just told me that they were trying their best to get the carers to do what they are supposed to do but with no luck. Surely you sack them if they can’t do the job?!

Nobody else wants the job.

IonianNerveGrip · 22/08/2026 20:25

Dormit · 22/08/2026 17:56

The carers are via social services. This is the third care agency they’ve tried and this has been the best one. The old manager just told me that they were trying their best to get the carers to do what they are supposed to do but with no luck. Surely you sack them if they can’t do the job?!

Well you could, but sacking them doesn't create a better worker to take their place. Very often it's a choice between someone who's not great at the job and nobody at all, and both SS and the carer agency will know that.

To that end I think I'd try and focus on the timing and commode cleaning. Let the nails and visible tattoos go.

Pistachiocake · 22/08/2026 20:15

Preschoolers know they have to wash their hands when helping you prepare meals. Carers don't get paid enough, or given enough time to do the jobs, and so few people want to do the work, they take on people who'd have no chance in other professions, mazing humans (my friend worked as a carer and this happened a lot, though many carers are amazing humans).
No, it's not ok they're only there for half the time they're supposed to be.

EmotionalBlackmail · 22/08/2026 19:56

The time issue does need looking into as that’s not right.

I don’t think 5 minutes to make a sandwich is realistic. I can do it very quickly at home (I make packed lunches x3 every night and it’s about 15 mins for everything including prepping fruit) but I know exactly where everything is, what sandwich fillings I have and it’s all laid out exactly as I like it. A carer coming into one of a multitude of kitchens they work in is going to have to find the plates and utensils, find the bread, work out what sandwich filling etc.

A lot of agency carers won’t cook at all, it all has to be ready meals with instructions on.

The reason why they don’t sack the bad ones? The agencies really struggle to recruit. No one wants the work, it’s poorly paid and usually hard work with a lot of rushing between homes with no downtime.

DemonsandMosquitoes · 22/08/2026 19:51

As a district nurse I remember seeing some carers leave their car engine running when they went in the front door, couldn’t get in and out fast enough.

EmotionalBlackmail · 22/08/2026 19:46

Some of this will be down to the practices of a particular agency, cultural differences or poor communication.

Could you provide a picture or demonstrate how you’d want the lunch to be served up? If the carer is from a culture where sandwiches aren’t routinely eaten, they aren’t going to know how to make it unless shown. Having a drink with a meal is personal preference, yes, I’d expect to have one but I have elderly relatives who wouldn’t have a drink with a meal and would never have a cold drink at any time. Same with expectations around what else is on the plate - had you specified fruit or crisps? Or just said sandwich? I wouldn’t expect to provide a napkin with a lunchtime sandwich, but would with something messy like spaghetti bolognaise.

Uniform is up to the agency. Some provide them, some don’t. They should be washing hands between take and before preparing and serving food, and normally there shouldn’t be long nails because of the infection risk?

Tattoos are totally fine unless they include something offensive eg racist language.