losing aide that knows bowel care

alan · 05-25-2008, 03:04 PM

In a month, I'm going to lose the only aide I have that knows bowel care. With the low salaries the agencies that pay the aides provide, I'm not likely to find another one who knows how to do it, and we can't afford to pay a nurse to come in.

2008 has sucked, and keeps getting worse.

Mona~on~wheels · 05-25-2008, 03:52 PM

Sorry for your troubles.
Alan can't she train someone before she leaves?

SCI-Nurse · 05-25-2008, 06:13 PM

Do you have to deal with an agency? Can't you hire the PCA on your own? We teach all our clients how to verbally direct their bowel care so that they can always teach their new PCAs. PCAs come and go...it is part of the deal.

In CA, HHA or CNA from agencies are not allowed to do bowel care at all, so most of our clients don't use them but hire on their own. IHSS allows you to hire anyone if they are the funding source.

You could certainly consider purchasing Accidents Stink! ($9.95) and use that as part of the training. We use it.

(KLD)

NoDecafPlz · 05-25-2008, 10:45 PM

Get the word out Alan. Over-communicate through every person and channel you know. Whether it is an ad in several church bulletins (retired RN's go to church!

) or an ad in the local help wanted under care needed.
Tear everyone's ear off and get them invested in a solution too!

Good luck!

teena · 05-26-2008, 09:48 AM

I still can't fix it...but I still am in your corner, Alan. Hang on to hope, and keep looking out for yourself...

Take care, friend!

Teena

frwheel16 · 05-26-2008, 03:18 PM

Run a add on Craigs list under domestics. you'll find plenty of help..

alan · 05-26-2008, 05:21 PM

The aides were hired by me (though one paid by County, another by aid group), but didn't know how to do bowel care, and I haven't been able to convince either of them to learn. Neither source has an aide available who knows bowel care - as I said, the pay isn't great - and Medicare doesn't pay for bowel care.

I have been speaking with people - no luck so far.

Any idea what someone on Craig's List would charge? Money is a major issue, in that we have little.

mimin · 05-26-2008, 05:45 PM

Have you ever considered a colostomy?

michaelm · 05-26-2008, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alan

Any idea what someone on Craig's List would charge? Money is a major issue, in that we have little.

Alan,
I've had great success with craig's list. You can always place an ad with your terms. All craigslist postings are free, except for:

http://www.craigslist.org/about/help/posting_fees

SCI-Nurse · 05-26-2008, 07:32 PM

I am curious about why you hire the aides you have without doing bowel care being a given part of the job. We would never do this. If they don't want to do bowel care (or caths or other essential parts of the job), or are unwilling to learn and say this in the original interview, that is as far as they get in the interviewing process. We move on to someone else. If they lie in the interview and refuse to do it later, that is grounds for termination (and stated so in the contract we have them sign).

(KLD)

05-25-2008, 03:04 PM	#1
alan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 6,185	losing aide that knows bowel care In a month, I'm going to lose the only aide I have that knows bowel care. With the low salaries the agencies that pay the aides provide, I'm not likely to find another one who knows how to do it, and we can't afford to pay a nurse to come in. 2008 has sucked, and keeps getting worse. __________________ Alan Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.

05-26-2008, 05:21 PM	#7
alan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 6,185	The aides were hired by me (though one paid by County, another by aid group), but didn't know how to do bowel care, and I haven't been able to convince either of them to learn. Neither source has an aide available who knows bowel care - as I said, the pay isn't great - and Medicare doesn't pay for bowel care. I have been speaking with people - no luck so far. Any idea what someone on Craig's List would charge? Money is a major issue, in that we have little. __________________ Alan Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.

05-26-2008, 05:45 PM	#8
mimin Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Israel Posts: 1,545	Have you ever considered a colostomy? __________________ Whoever said nothing's impossible didn't have a spinal cord injury!

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05-25-2008, 03:52 PM	#2
Mona~on~wheels Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cleburne, Texas, USA Posts: 5,640	Sorry for your troubles. Alan can't she train someone before she leaves?

05-25-2008, 06:13 PM	#3
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,511	Do you have to deal with an agency? Can't you hire the PCA on your own? We teach all our clients how to verbally direct their bowel care so that they can always teach their new PCAs. PCAs come and go...it is part of the deal. In CA, HHA or CNA from agencies are not allowed to do bowel care at all, so most of our clients don't use them but hire on their own. IHSS allows you to hire anyone if they are the funding source. You could certainly consider purchasing Accidents Stink! ($9.95) and use that as part of the training. We use it. (KLD)

05-25-2008, 10:45 PM	#4
NoDecafPlz Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 9,850	Get the word out Alan. Over-communicate through every person and channel you know. Whether it is an ad in several church bulletins (retired RN's go to church! ) or an ad in the local help wanted under care needed. Tear everyone's ear off and get them invested in a solution too! Good luck!

05-26-2008, 09:48 AM	#5
teena Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,333	I still can't fix it...but I still am in your corner, Alan. Hang on to hope, and keep looking out for yourself... Take care, friend! Teena

05-26-2008, 03:18 PM	#6
frwheel16 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: California Posts: 72	Run a add on Craigs list under domestics. you'll find plenty of help..

05-26-2008, 07:32 PM	#10
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,511	I am curious about why you hire the aides you have without doing bowel care being a given part of the job. We would never do this. If they don't want to do bowel care (or caths or other essential parts of the job), or are unwilling to learn and say this in the original interview, that is as far as they get in the interviewing process. We move on to someone else. If they lie in the interview and refuse to do it later, that is grounds for termination (and stated so in the contract we have them sign). (KLD)