Carer takin the p*ss?

[SVDWoodson]

My mother's usual carer has been on extended leave for a couple of months now, so in the meantime, we have a replacement for her. The carer is over for 40 minutes (which is the allocated time provided to us); however, but this woman can't do anything!

For example, I have the Shark Cordless Hoover and have shown her how to use it, but on one occasion, while unfolding it, she yanked it and broke it, preventing it from locking when folded. I shouldn't care, but then again, I paid for it, and it was less than six months old, so thankfully John Lewis replaced it. But when I got a new one, I showed her again and managed to take it apart because she just could not grasp how to use it, so we told her not to worry about the hoovering, and so I now take it around the house a few times a week.

I work from home, but I barely see the carer for the entire duration she is with us, but I manage to see her around if I pop down to the kitchen or loo or to head out to the shops. During these times, I've seen her sitting on the chair in my mother's room just talking on her phone; and on other occasions, she's approached me with two phones and asked how to hot spot from one of them; and she's approached my father multiple times and asked him for the Wi-Fi password (he has said no to her); and my mother has said that as soon as she comes in, she puts her phone on charge (using our chargers).

I'm fuming!!!

I feel this woman is taking the absolute mick with us, so am I being unreasonable by being angry about this?

You’re being unreasonable if you haven’t given her clear expectations and if you haven’t started looking for a replacement (you didn’t say if she’s from a service or you have hired her direct)

Carers don’t usually do any housework apart from prepare simple meals, usually microwaving, and washing up. Is she providing the care your mother needs or not?

What’s the reason for the carer and actual care needs?

my grandmother had live in carers and some were good, some okay and some outright abusive/neglectful. Be your mum’s advocate if needed. (They don’t usually hoover).

Is she a cleaner then.? Because carers don’t hoover or clean….they might wash up if they’ve made the client a snack …but that’s about it

It does sound like she’s a bit rubbish. Is she from an agency? Some care agencies use apps where you have to detail all care provided and have trackers in so they can prove they were with x client for y minutes. It runs down the battery which might be why it needs plugged in and/ or they are paying for an inadequate data package.

If she isn’t doing her job ask for a replacement

I’d forgotten about the apps. I had a carer for a short while after an illness and they had to log everything. They mostly didn’t do it in my presence but I would have given them the wifi and let them charge their phone. It costs hardly anything and helps them do their job.