It's a little after 2AM. I live in a converted apt. in back of my mother's house. I hired a caregiver a little over 2 wks ago supposedly 24/7. She gets days off but it was agreed that she would be here every day from 5PM as mom gets up at odd hours (last night it was 3AM) gets dressed and is on her way out the door. Or like just now, I for some reason went in the house and she'd wet her pants and needed help. Lo and behold, no caregiver. What should I do with her?
If you really want this person out, then you have to make adjustments to your own life too. The doctor's appointments may be necessary, but meetings with lawyers & bankers can be postponed. Your mother is the priority right now, don't you agree?
If you can't find another caregiver for what you're willing to pay that will stay with her 24/7, then you're going to have to put her in a long term care facility so she can be supervised & not wander during the night----you have no other choice.
You could also be like a parent waiting for their teenager to get home: Sit in the living room, in the dark, & when she walks in the door, turn the light on & ask her where she was. If she tried to give you some excuse, ask her why she didn't call you & ask if she could leave instead of just walking out & leaving your mother by herself, which is the exact reason why you hired her in the first place----so your mother wouldn't be alone at night!!!
The school or college student would work if you needed them at night, then you would find someone for the two hours in the am, and could do that for a cheaper amount.
I cannot imagine ever, leaving my spot when I am caring for someone at night. Geesh, I don't even take a break, because there usually is a huge reason that someone needs watching at night. These are the Hospice or people that want me to stay up all night long.
Regardless, even if your client is sleeping, it is plain unacceptable. I have written to Sooz, and think she is doing ok, she I believe is looking for another care giver, and is getting (I hope) a lot of advice from people here.
We need to stick together.
On the other hand someone who is prowling the streets at 2AM has a drug problem. Fire her. But forget a 24/7 employee, it's against the law.