This Is A Tad Sensitive, Tell Me How You Would Deal With It?

[Jeza]

When Mic came out of hospital I was told the local authority would handel his care until they decided he was stable. Then they would appoint an agency to carry on. I was also told we would have to pay full care costs. The local authority carers were very good, they did chat a bit but nothing too bad that bumped up the fees too much.
The new company girls log in and out via mobile phone when entering and leaving the house. They talk a lot. What's for dinner, boyfriends. local news etc.
Today on one visit they were here for 45 minutes. All they did was change Mic's pad and move him up the bed. IMO less than 15 minutes. So an extra 30 mins to be paid for for one visit alone, and we have 3 visits per day. Before you poo poo this, ask Pixie how much it costs for 2 carers for 30 minutes if I told you you wouldn't believe me.
My Q is I want to nip this in the bud without falling out with anyone. I could ring their manager but I really don't want to do that, after all they will be coming here for the foreseeable future.
So what do I say to the carers. Over to my fellow ABers.

[Jeza]

I have read all comments and will think of my next move.

Dee we are not well off but have looked after our money over the years. Our house although owned is worth about 20p because of the area we live in.

[Dee Sa]

Jeza I hope you did not take offence at my remark, no offence intended, we too had saved but then we spent it all trying to save CS'S eye sight, sadly it did not work. I hope you get this problem sorted, some agency workers really do take the biscuit. Try putting an ad in your local paper for carers and then keep their names for future plans.
You do have my sympathy, just when you get over one hurdle another appears, but you still have Mic with you which must mean everything to you.

[Old_Geezer]

Can you not say that money is tight for you, and you would be grateful if they were able to minimise the time taken to get the essentials done, please. If they are o a carers' wage I suspect they could understand that and not be offended.

What you must do is not seem to be blaming them for slacking instead of getting on. The aim is to lower the bills rather than alienate the carers.

[Dee Sa]

unfortunately OG the old fashioned carer who really did care to the best of their ability are a dying breed, the new carers , not all, but the majority of them are just there for the money and its a job. Its the same in hospitals too with agency nurses.

[Jeza]

No offence taken Dee.

When they came this morning I asked them to get on and attend to Mic's needs. I said that they were probably not aware but we were paying full care costs and it was expensive so please keep the time to a minimum.
I can't remember my exact words but I did put it a lot better than I've said here.
They were fine with me and Mic and said they didn't realise as most people they cared for got the service for free no matter how long they took to do their job adding a lot of people liked to chat.

[Psybbo]

Well done Jeza, time for that B&C xx

[boxtops]

Jeza, well done. I can see their point of view too now, that they're unaware - maybe what you've told them will make them think about the time they may spend with others, too. After all, if you weren't paying for it - the State would be, so we all are. Sounds as if you have a good relationship now with these ladies.

[woofgang]

oh that's excellent, well done you.

[askyourgran]

Pleased to hear that problem is sorted jeza.

[Jeza]

At 10 ish Sibs, after shower and jim jams.

[pixie373]

They don't get paid extra for over-running. Jeza, i would still check how long your calls are down for. Even those with direct payments make a contribution- so I'm really not sure what those carers are talking about x

[Jeza]

It was Chris who put me straight so a big thanks to him as well as every one else who answered.

[jomifl]

I had a builder working for me when I wasn't at home, I was paying him at an hourly rate for an assumed 8 hours per day. I knew from neighbours that he spent a lot of time chatting to his mate up the road and didn't start on time.
My solution was to ask him each day how many hours he had worked, he realised that he had been sussed, problem solved.
So, does not someone have to sign off these carers each day? if not then why not?

[pixie373]

Jon, the carers get paid the same. Otherwise, they would just hang around at their first call for 3 hours and not bother with the rest. They sound as if they are unaware of the agency's billing procedure. Agencies tend to not tell carers- as they are taking 65-75% of the money. Jeza's bill should still be what was agreed in the first place. Carers ring in and out of each call- so if there is any problem or claim that a carer didn't turn up, they have a computerised read-out.

[pixie373]

Jom... Autocorrect, sorry.

[jomifl]

No worries Pixie, autocorrect changes mrs jom's name to owlet regularly, it has only 2 letters in common with her actual name.:-)