After we had a caregiver steal money from my dad (91 yrs) we put in a Nest security camera in his living room to 1. make sure he's ok and 2. keep an eye on things during the day when the caregiver is there. The new caregiver makes his food then heads straight the recliner and literally lays on it all day. She does not know that the security camera is in the room. Is that normal for caregivers to pretty much lay or sit around all day? Its too hot to go outside and they sit and watch t.v.. If its normal then I'll bite my tongue. And he appears to get along ok with her when she engages in coversation.
Make the bed, do the laundry, vacuum the carpet.
Does she try to engage him in conversation?
Does she talk to him about his interests?
Card games?
coloring?
Music?
Is it her job to bathe or shower him?
does she check briefs or pull ups if this person is incontinent?
If Dad is in a wheelchair or uses a walker and does not get up much does the caregiver help him change positions at least every 2 hours? A change of positions can be as simple as moving the back of a recliner to another position, moving him forward a bit just to smooth out the back of a shirt. Or it can be getting him up to walk to the bathroom.
If you have given this person no direction as to what you expect then what she is doing is what she thinks you expect.
If they balk at this I move on to someone who is willing to sign the release.
The recording will also protect the caregiver from false charges.
When I was caring for my grandfather, I found many competent caregivers who had no objection to signing the release.
If a caregiver balks, IMO, you have to wonder why? If they are doing their jobs, they will not care.
I also, require all maids and contract workers of any type.....plumbers, floor refinishers, handymen etc., sign these releases.
There are many competent workers who see the recording as a way to protect themselves from false charges.
Before requesting the releases, I had several incidents of theft that were not provable.
Since requiring the releases, I have had none.
in NC video is fine, but if you witness criminal act, audio can cause entire recordings to be thrown out, one person being recorded must know their is audio recording, a third party may not “eavesdrop”.
I have include below information regarding the legality of Nanny cams.
In addition, if used for a reasonable purpose such a suspected theft. The video will typically be admissable in court. Particularly if it catches the caregiver in a criminal act such as theft or abuse or neglect of the elderly person.
I have included the information below and a link:
https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/babysitternanny-camera-legality.html
[ Question: Can I Legally Install a Nanny Cam in My Home?
Answer: It is currently legal in every state to make a video-only recording of anything happening at your home, at any time, without informing anyone. The fact that the camera is hidden has no effect on this concept. If your camera is video only (no sound is recorded), then you can do whatever you like with it, in your own home (but be careful about accidentally recording things beyond that, like the street in front of your yard).
Audio recordings are a different story. While some states have no special laws regarding these either, it is illegal to record someone's voice without their permission in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington State. The merchant selling the camera will likely be familiar with your state's laws concerning this, so be sure to ask before you buy anything or consult with an employment lawyer first. ]
More.....
[ Question: I've Been Videotaped Without My Knowledge - Can the Tape Be Used in Court?
Answer: The courts are split over this issue, but most states are leaning toward allowing it to be entered as evidence.
While many states have laws regulating the taping of someone in an area where they have an expectation of privacy, most agree that you cannot have such an expectation in a home that isn't yours.
Obviously, there are some exceptions to this rule (your employer cannot put cameras in a bathroom that he expects others to use), but in general, he can film anything in his home, including you, and can later use it in court.
However, if you live in one of the previously mentioned 13 states, and the video has sound, then it will likely violate wiretapping laws, and will not be admissible. But the sound on a video can easily be muted, so unless the incriminating portion of the video is speech itself, the video portion may be allowed into evidence (although the courts have yet to rule specifically on this issue). ]
I think you could expect more from the care giver. Talk to her agency...
Also any valuables should be removed from the home so there is nothing worth taking.
If you could spend a lot of time with your elderly relative, would you? Most wouldnt because it can be draining. Sometimes the elderly person can get along better with non family members.
Some of the responders seem to feel the caregivers are lazy and want to have them account for every moment spent. Perhaps sitting and watching tv, keeping them company is exactly what the elderly person enjoys. If they were able to get up and go they wouldn't need a caregiver.
I'd want to be the caregivers friend not look at them with contempt or suspicion. If you think they cant pick up on that your mistaken.
If you didn't have these caregivers where would you be then?
Like for instance one one of the reason I personally hv find myself sitting is the client feel more safe whn she can always see what I am doing as it takes time to build trust , so you might be surprised to discover your father is really happy that she right there where he sees her and can once in a while talk. Me and my lovely current lady that I am helping now, she reads a lot , she like me time, also she enjoy talking but she not a morning person ... in the morning we do what needs to be done... breakfast, Pt activities, bathroom , go sit and read a book... call whenever she want to go to the bathroom or sometimes if she reading a nice book I have to go ask anything you want to do, let’s go to bathroom ... then maybe she sit in the sunroom or outside and after dinner we then sit together and talk and she really can talk but if cameras were in the living room I sure believe her kids think we don’t talk a lot or I don’t spent much time with her per What they see. But luckily she in good memory and she can always tell.
All of this should have been spelled out when the caregiver was hired. But expecting the CG to just know what to do is not real world. They need to be trained or have demonstrated for full understanding of what is expected of them.
Just a last thought, you want to check on the laws concerning the camera surveillance with respect to the caregivers rights.
It all depends on what type caregiver was hired and what is in their contract, if there even is a contract.
If she is an independent caregiver,..... is she a sitter or a medical professional? If she is an independent caregiver, not working with an agency, there may not be a contract and therefore you need to get her services in writing of some type.
Not all caregivers, either independent or hired through an agency, clean or cook. You also can not demand it, if there is a contract and you are demanding something not specified in the contract.
Some caregivers are just there for medical assistance. ....giving meds, treating wounds, turning the patient, toileting, bathing etc. They are not required to clean. For that you have to hire a maid service or a different type of caregiver.
You can install cameras in your home. If you think she is stealing you can plant money somewhere and train the camera on the place the money is hidden. If she snoops, finds it and steals it and you have this on camera you can have her arrested.
Unfortunately, with my grandfather, we even had one through an agency that was failing to fulfill the duties specified in her contract, and also stole several items.
Sadly this is very common.
We went through at least four caregivers until we found a helpful, honest, trustworthy caregiver.
Unfortunately, many people do not read their contracts, or even have one, and then they have unrealistic expectations about the agreed upon duties of the caregiver.
Get it in writing. If it is not in writing it does not count.
We discussed the parameters of the contract (what the caregivers could/could not do) and from there made daily/weekly/bi-weekly tasks and care that needed to be done. These tasks and care included days for bathing/grooming, light household chores, Mom's favorite shows and activities. Believe it or not it worked!
A couple of tips: Keep the list to one piece of paper and don't forget to allow for a date and initials next to each task/care duty. We even left a couple of lines for "Other" and you would be surprised at what was entered. The caregivers really enjoyed it and every once in a while we would give them a gift card as a little bonus, it really does help to acknowledge them and the difficult job they are doing.
Mom was happier, the caregivers seemed to be, and most of all we felt like they were more engaged and actually were communicating with u on a more regular basis. Remember, they don't know what they are expected to do unless you tell them, they do not want to take advantage of anyone, they are there to help, so set guidelines - you will be glad you did!
I would assign lite duties as suggested by others...especially with respect to your LO. I like your idea of the puzzles they could do together...how about some lite Physical Therapy? Maybe "sitting exercises from the couch."
If you were there with your LO what would you be doing with him to keep his mind and body active? That's what the Caregiver should be doing.....
Is cleaning a part of the job description? If so is that being done?
Is bathing a part of the job? Is that done?
Is routine change of positions part of the job? It should be if he is not real mobile. At least every two hours there should be a change of positions or at least get up to go to the wash room if he is mobile.
Is meal preparation part of the job? Is that being done?
Is your Dad very verbal? If so the caregiver should be engaging in as much conversation as he can participate in.
Is the caregiver getting him involved in some sort of activity? Coloring, cards, reading to him, puzzles......
If everything is being done then there really is not more to do than to sit and watch TV.
You could modify the aspects of the job if you want. If light house cleaning is not part of this particular job description you might want to add it.
If helping him bathe and dress is not part of her morning you might want to add that.
The tasks of a caregiver evolve as the client declines so adding new tasks is not unusual.
But a discussion should be had about your expectations.
I've seen babysitters do absolutely nothing but watch TV while they were staying in the house with kids. Kids were in bed asleep...what else is there to do? Stay in the house. Make sure no one is breaking in. Kids are not up roaming or going outside. That was the arrangement.
Just be clear as to your expectations upfront.