Carer hygiene and professional standards

55 replies

Dormit · 22/08/2026 09:22

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.

OP posts:

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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