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My mother lives alone and has limited mobility, barely able to walk short distances. She should be in assisted living. She had a 2 person cleaning company but due to extended time in the hospital/rehab they no longer had a slot for her. I visited my mom and she was telling me all about the PT's life. This person also works as a house cleaner and Mom hired her to clean the house. Is this out of line by the PT? Should I notifiy the agency?

June question.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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The PT can clean the House - Your Mother Knows her so that is a Plus .
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Reply to KNance72
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Question from June
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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As long at mom is getting the PT that she is paying for or rather her insurance is paying for.......
As long as the house is getting clean as it should be.
Is there a contract for the house cleaning, a schedule as to what is done and when then I do not see a problem with this arrangement.
The Boundary that may get crossed her is if this person becomes a "friend" and not a PT and House cleaner. If that happens then both jobs my slip.
And if this reaches into other territory like the cleaning lady/PT getting access to personal account information or if mom 6 months from now wants "Mary" to become her POA......
Keep lines of communication open
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Reply to Grandma1954
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No, don't tell her agency. This type of thing happens all the time. If this is a person you both trust, let it be. Find out how much she is charging to clean and have a friendly talk with her. Sometimes aides and other medical staff moonlight on other jobs to make some extra cash especially when other clients may cancel visits, go in the hospital and cancel services altogether. Hours can be unstable at times. You get paid by visit.
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Reply to Scampie1
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The real issue is whether M gets proper PT treatment and whether the house is cleaned, all for appropriate charges. After that, I’d suggest that it’s MYOB for the daughter.
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Reply to MargaretMcKen
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I can see that she trusts her PT. It’s hard to find another housekeeper that’s a stranger and start fr the beginning with them. NO! Don’t tattle on her to her PT agency. I avoid at all costs putting an employee in trouble w their employer apart fr a serious problem.
Maybe give her a shot saying Mom is waiting for her old cleaning agency to have a spot open up. That way if it doesn’t work you have an out. Don’t overthink it. Talk to PT apart fr Mom to make sure this was really offered. Also, the Physical therapist has been vetted by her Medical Agency. Still ask for references and info as if she was a stranger.
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Reply to Bellerose63
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Midwest raises good points.

So PT is an assistant. This makes sense - PTA also does shifts for home care, cleaning, maybe personal care too. (I have the relevant certificates to do those if I chose).

While I am 'chatty' I only discuss personal info, family, finances etc with trusted friends - certainly not with every new work contact.

Maybe your Mom got this chatty new assistant & is a little lonely so enjoys her tales?

But maybe the assistanct could take advantage, either financial or emotional, with or without meaning too.

It can happen that if someone is lonely, they can start to rely too much on their care workers for all their social & emotional contact. A one-sided friendship can grow. When the staff members move on (as young & eager people do) it can leave their client without their 'friend'. A big loss.

I would start to research Assisted Living options too. Could hopefully offer your Mom more two-sided friendships with folk her own age.
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Reply to Beatty
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Thanks for the clarification Alice. It certainly shows poor judgment on the part of the PTA and I would not be comfortable having her continue, probably in either capacity. You’re right, it’s time to seriously make plans for assisted living.
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Reply to MidwestOT
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Thank you for the suggestions. The PT visits are by a PT asst. My Mom is telling me all about this woman, her problems with her teenage daughter and ex-husband , trying to buy a house etc. It seems a lot for someone who just comes to do therapy twice a week. Mom needs social interaction which she could have in assisted living. At Rehab, she would only talk to staff. Mom has a home health aide through another agency but tries to limit her coming to dr appts and grocery shopping to keep cost down. I live out of state and was there for a visit.
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Reply to Alice617
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I’ve known a lot of therapists that take side gigs, but usually as a PRN or part time therapist. This could be a PT assistant, but please check with them before taking any action. Agencies typically don’t want their employees working privately for clients, but it sometimes happens, usually after the client is discharged.
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Reply to MidwestOT
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I'd question whether your Mom has her facts straight. PTs get paid enough that they don't need side gigs. I wouldn't notify the agency and inadvertently cause trouble for someone. I would attempt to talk to the PT privately myself first.
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Reply to Geaton777
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Beatty Jun 28, 2024
Yeah agree. Maybe a college job & kept a few clients later?? But surely much more dosh in PT work.
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I think the bigger problem is she needs to be in assisted living.
If the house is getting cleaned who cares who she pays to do it , unless you find out it’s a ridiculous fee and Mom is being taken advantage of.
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Reply to waytomisery
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I would confirm with the Physical Therapist that she is taking money from your mom to do housecleaning.
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Reply to BarbBrooklyn
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