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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To expect my parents' carers to stay with them?

106 replies

parnsipsandcaulis · 08/10/2016 15:21

We are having a nightmare with the care my parents need. Both are elderly, frail and need assistance with their meals and with getting up in the morning and going to bed at night: so far so good.

However the carers just aren't staying. They have an hour in the morning but generally do between 40 and 50 minutes; their remaining visits should be half an hour each but the carers only stay twenty/twenty five minutes.

I've complained a number of times - AIBU about this?

OP posts:

itlypocerka · 08/10/2016 18:09

Would there actually be a market for a care-providing company that paid carers better than minimum wage, paid for travel time and allowed them the space to not be quite so stressed? OP would you pay 40% more for a guarantee that the carers visiting your parents weren't being forced into this pattern by unscrupulous employers who seem to be the only kind in this industry?

GandolfBold · 08/10/2016 18:17

This is a notorious issue and many companies will be milking in the cash while paying their workers peanuts, little mileage or travel time. My Mum is a carer and tomorrow she is working 6 hours but will only be paid for 3.

Its awful, but its not the carers fault, its the company they work for.

Akire · 08/10/2016 18:27

I have carers there are some company's that do give the full hour and travel time. Ie client one 9-10 next client 10.30-11.30 carers don't get paid travel but least you get longer.

Other agencies will arrive 10.10 leave 10.50 as their time sheet says client one 9-10 client two 10-11 with a 15min bus ride between the two.

You will of course be paying around £15 one agency and £18 for another. (I'm in London). Thers always option to hire private carers there are no agency costs just payroll and more paper management but overall cheaper if you paying them say £10 hour against min wage they would get paid in agency.

Saying that some carers do more in 20m than some do in an hour so really does depend on what's being done. Plus my carers sign out all digital scan of file then they have to put coat on, lock up, take rubbish and recycling down- I live in flats it does add up

RandomMess · 08/10/2016 18:45

I assume although paying privately you are using an agency, not employing the carers direct?

If via an agency you complain to them, if employing direct then you need to manage your staff.

Angel64391 · 08/10/2016 18:53

YANBU but your parents carers are for not standing up for their rights if the reason they're leaving early is to cover unpaid travel time. I'm lucky enough to work for a company which pays travel time in between calls and pays our mileage. Our union Rep told us that all travel for work should be paid. Can't understand why people run themselves ragged and basically work for less than the minimum wage with no thanks while it's their head office that are gaining and service users losing out.

summerainbow · 08/10/2016 19:25

Look at another agency if you not happy with this onemail.

Digestive28 · 08/10/2016 19:30

I would look into direct payments, the local council for your parents should be able to help with this. It means you directly employ carers who your parents can get to know and it is easier to manage. Cut out the agency, its pressures on staff, and stick with a couple of people doing a good job. Hope it resolves soon

maddiemookins16mum · 08/10/2016 19:40

This "issue" with carers not being paid between "calls", is something that really gets me (plus, they are often on £7.20 an hour which is shocking). I hate the way we pay some of the most important people doing a job (carers, nursery workers etc), such a low wage. My DD (who I loved and hated in equal measures would say, "you pay peanuts, you get monkeys").
I long for a Government who recognise this kind of work, made it a recognised and skilled job and pay and appreciate people properly.

maddiemookins16mum · 08/10/2016 19:41

To clariry my post, DD meant Darling Dad (he's gone now).

harderandharder2breathe · 08/10/2016 20:01

Yanbu but blame the company not the carers

YuckYuckEwwww · 08/10/2016 20:05

YANBU but it's not the carer's fault
Agencies line up their day with blocks close together and give them fuck all in travel expenses or time to get between jobs

However, if the care is task oriented, like heating up a meal, or assisting to get into bed, then they don't need to stay once that is done?

jessica29054 · 08/10/2016 20:24

It really is not easy finding people to work directly for you.

Akire · 08/10/2016 20:28

Really? I found it more difficult to find the right person. Though does depend if you live in middle of no where. Plenty people on tax credits only want work 16h week get one or two people for 8h a week sorted.

jessica29054 · 08/10/2016 20:30

Plenty of people on tax credits also have young children and won't be available evenings and weekends,

Akire · 08/10/2016 20:32

I'm just saying it's not impossible have done it for 10years. Obviously my experiences don't count.

jessica29054 · 08/10/2016 20:41

Of course they count, but nor are they representative.

Finding two people to make visits four times a day privately is not necessarily going to be easy.

MidniteScribbler · 08/10/2016 22:14

I don't think YABU to want them to be there for the whole block, but like others have said, most don't get travel time, so need to schedule the whole day to be on time between appointments. You need to either accept that, or look for an agency (and probably pay a higher fee) than you are currently.

Whoamiwhatami · 08/10/2016 22:37

I try my hardest to stay with every person for the allotted length of time but it's not always possible, as others have said travel time is minimal, one day this week I drove 30 miles in a 8 hour shift in heavily congested traffic. It meant I had no break, nothing to eat and call cutting to reach the clients on time.

I smile, be professional, complete the care plan tasks and more. I'll always try and have a chat even if it's 5 minutes.

I do my job because I love my clients, I find it rewarding and find bad care abhorrent but the nature of homecare in its current form is there will always be not enough time.

So I'll leave it there, I've just come in from an evening shift, I'm off to bed to sleep before I'm out for 6.30 tomorrow.

PickAChew · 08/10/2016 22:41

Even if you're paying privately, then the carers are likely still on the same time restrictions unless you find somewhere which specifically says they're not.

Herhighness · 08/10/2016 22:48

If you are paying for their time then you have very right to expect them to be in the house for that time.
Carers have a really difficult job and it the agencies that constantly overbook them. Your complaint should go to the agency, it's not that the careers can't be bothered, they just have too much to do.
Sheltered housing would not be an option unless it had "in house" care and that type of set up is not common and oversubscribed.
You would be better paying a private career ( who has insurance ) and a back up in case he or she cannot visit.
I can sympathise with your situation as a former care home manager myself and one who has an elderly mother. Good luck.

maggienolia · 08/10/2016 23:16

Sorry but I'very had days when I've worked a 9 hour shift with back to back calls. Shaving 5 minutes off a few calls can make the difference between getting a break and doing the whole shift with no time to eat, drink or do anything else.
Also I bet that the time they run short on one call is outweighed by the time that they probably overrun unpaid on other calls.
Blame the agency not the carers. And try doing our job for a week.
And like a previous poster I worked from 7.15 this morning till gone 9 tonight with an hour break.

YuckYuckEwwww · 08/10/2016 23:23

Even if you're paying privately, then the carers are likely still on the same time restrictions unless you find somewhere which specifically says they're not

That's not true
Private carers can charge more (whilst still saving the person paying the bill money cause no agency fees) so they don't need to cram them in quite so much to survive. £15/hr is the cheapest private carer I know and she's undercutting most others. Her clients are happy to pay it and consider it "cheap" and have even encouraged her to pay more

YuckYuckEwwww · 08/10/2016 23:23

Even if you're paying privately, then the carers are likely still on the same time restrictions unless you find somewhere which specifically says they're not

YuckYuckEwwww · 08/10/2016 23:26

They're hard to come by though because they tend to stick with their regulars for years and years and get by fine on that because they make a decent living

Sprinklestar · 08/10/2016 23:32

Agree with Yuck. Pay enough and you'll get quality care and carers who work their allotted time. If you're supporting a company that likes to cut corners, do things on the cheap and generally scrimp, more fool you. I can't stand people who moan about this kind of thing but aren't prepared to pay fair money for the service they're buying. It's like complaining that Ryanair is a rubbish airline. You get what you pay for!

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