currently I am working far from my clients, I work in Homecare so I travel to them. I have two separate clients. The commute in the mornings, afternoons and on my way home is so filled with traffic. Not only that but it's so much driving. Between the hour to get home and another 30 minute commute to get to work plus the driving between clients. And without fail every single trip is filled with TRAFFIC, I can barely make it to work on time. I worry about getting into collisions and the wear it puts on my car all the time, it just stresses me out so much. With all the time I'm spending on driving it upsets me because I really value my time and my car.
I've been looking for new jobs closer and better but how do I make sure this doesn't keep happening? Most of the agencies say they'll provide a close location, they say they'll be accommodating to your needs but in reality throw a 30 minute commute at you and bug about picking up more shifts, which by then you pretty much have to work where they put you at that point.
How do I make sure that I end in a better, more improved situation, with scheduling and commute as a caregiver?
What I’d do honestly is see if the clients that you like, and preferably in an affluent area, would be willing to be a reference. I would then go to care.com or if you prefer, next door.
Thats what my in laws caregiver did. She’s getting paid over a hundred grand now. Far more than a home pays anyone
Good hours in caregiving work are hard to find. Everyone always wants the 9am-2pm block or the 5pm-10pm one, and week-end work is always available because no one wants it.
You could take a couple of overnight sleep-duty cases too. That way you'll be picking up more money and won't have to travel so much and in the worst hours. You could ask your agency about sleep-duty or take a private case through a website.