This question is one of the most frequently asked among live-in carers. It may also be one of the most widely disputed.
While families look for care agencies who will take care of their loved one, they may find that once they talk about Dementia and all that surrounds it, care agencies simply do not agree with the family as far as night calls go.
Here’s an example. A family consults with an agency, telling the agency that their mom’s sleep pattern is erratic, to say the least. She often used to get up two or three times in a night but now with Dementia, this seems to be worse.
Now here’s the issue. Mom does not do this every night. It may only happen once or twice a week, but it does happen. All the family friends agree that two or three times a week should not be an issue – but is it an issue?
Most agency contracts state that two night calls are the maximum per night, and after that a night carer needs to be set in place. However, there are some agencies that will balk at the idea of a
live-in carer being woken up twice a night, every night, and with good reason.
By virtue of what the job entails, most live-in carers work hard, very hard, with little down time, other than their break. Often they are alone with the client and need to handle every emergency that arises, along with regular duties involving the care of a client. This in itself is enough to leave many people exhausted.
Adding two or more night calls into the equation makes for a carer who is constantly tired, who may not be able to function properly, and who could easily become ill or injured because of over tiredness.
While a client may call the carer, get up, use the bathroom, get a drink and then head back to bed, the carer may find that being up for that length of time means that sleep is difficult once finally back in bed.
Repeat that twice or even three times a night, and we see that the client is well rested by the morning, having had their needs taken care of through the night. The carer, on the other hand, is exhausted, both mentally and physically. Little wonder that accidents happen.
Most agencies state that night calls should be no longer than 20 minutes, although this assumes that the carer manages to fall asleep right away, which very seldom happens.
If the average adult needs eight hours sleep, then it makes sense that when night calls become part of the routine, another plan should be set in action.
For any live-in carer who is self employed there are no legal requirements for night calls, unfortunately.
Live-in carers who work through an agency will have their own set of guidelines to follow, and if night calls get out of hand, they should consult with the agency about other arrangements.
Night calls and all that they encompass are still a very grey area, and will always be that way, because next of kin and family are disinclined to see that the live-in carer may be exhausted. The carer on the other hand, while being exhausted, may also fear being without a placement and simply continue until leaving or becoming ill.
From the family side, it may be that they are best bringing a night carer on board, although this will work out costly. The other option is that their loved one is placed in a care home, where there are staff who work nights, and staff who work days, with enough staff at hand to cover any amount of night calls.
From the carer side, although night calls may be quick and infrequent, it is good to remember that with such conditions as dementia they do not tend to improve. Rather, they get worse as the disease progresses. While at the start of a placement two or three calls each night may not seem that bad, after several weeks there will be a distinct change in ability to work effectively and possibly safely.
Either way, this is something that should always be discussed. If as a carer you feel that a night carer needs to be set in place, then stand your ground, because the situation will not suddenly improve because the family ‘has a little chat with mom.’
Any agency worth its salt will agree with the carer when night calls get out of hand, and if they do not, then it may be time to look for another agency.
Family who insist on one carer doing the work of two do not deserve to have live-in care, and should be advised that they are putting the health and safety of the carer and their loved one at risk. Perhaps a care home would be a better solution for them.
Whatever you decide, be sure to stand your ground and not let yourself be talked into the classical phrase of ‘let’s see how the next few weeks go, and we’ll talk again.’
Remember that this is a situation that is difficult to resolve as both parties are diametrically opposed, so be prepared to take care of your own health and safety first, and possibly walk away from the placement.
Tags:
© 2024 EJOBBOARD LTD. All Rights Reserved.