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I have a client who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease since 2019.



I have been the only private caregiver for 3.5 years.



At first, the husband took his 4 x a year 10-12 times a day trips and I would stay with his wife.



This is not a normal caregiving job by any means. All she wants to do is walk. She has walked miles and miles by herself and the husband is ok with that.



Recently, she told him that she felt “hovered” with having anyone stay with her.



I have found this situation for me to be very uncomfortable as my schedule when he is gone is to show up at their house at 9:00am and leave at 3:00pm. My client is extremely independent and will not admit that there is an issue with her memory. She calls it absentmindedness.



She uses the gas stove in the morning to fix her breakfast.



On a different note, when I am done working with her when he is there, he has instructed me to drop her off somewhere close to home as all she does is walk. She avoids being at home from 8:30am — 5:30pm.



I am just trying to set the tone for my concern. There is nothing in writing that he has written specifically for his trips, or just dropping her off anywhere.



I am concerned that this arrangement will come back and fall on my shoulders.



I am with her enough to know that she has about 10% executive function and a 5 minute short term memory issue.



He has delayed, delayed and delayed any medical intervention to get her help with her OCD, Anxiety and Depression. His reasoning is because it would be a nightmare to take away her ability to take her own medications.



What I want to know is this, if all of you were in my position (besides calling APS) how would you deal with this.



I get the feeling that he just doesn't like to be around Allzheimer’s because it has interrupted his life plans. Just being honest.

Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I would be asking myself, ‘Why am I continuing to care for this client?’

You have tried to educate the husband. He isn’t interested in your opinion, because he is ignoring your advice.

So, now you are concerned about the disastrous consequences of your client and her husband’s actions. You should be concerned, because it’s only a matter of time, before something happens.

You have no control over their lives. You do have control over your life. If I were you, I would leave this position.

If you feel that it is your responsibility to call APS, then do so. Hopefully, they will open up an investigation. At the very least, there will be documentation of the situation.

Wishing you all the best!
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Reply to NeedHelpWithMom
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BurntCaregiver May 28, 2024
@NHWM

The OP is not taking care of the client. The OP is putting the client's health and safety at risk by dropping her off and letting her wander around alone. That is not taking care of someone.
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I agree with others that you don't have much control to change much about this situation except to leave. I agree with others that dropping off a person with memory deficit to fend for themselves is ridiculous and only a matter of time before there's an incident for which you, as a caregiver with no written contract or instructions, may be held accountable.

What would happen if you ignored his instructions to drop her off and instead just took her home? If he complains about it you can tell him that it is unethical to drop her off in her condition, and that you are a mandated reporter of neglect and abuse (hint).

Does this couple have adult children somewhere that you can discretely contact to let them know that a "situation" is in process? They may not care or have any power, either, but it doesn't hurt to notify them.

How old is the husband? Old enough to possibly have cognitive issues himself? Or is he just a clueless jerk? If you suspect he is also in cognitive decline, then contacting APS might be the best and only move.
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NeedHelpWithMom May 27, 2024
Absolutely! The husband’s judgement concerning his wife is very questionable!

I have an inkling that the OP realizes that she is treading on thin ice and is looking for validation for her suspicions.
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I’d resign in writing, stating all the reasons you have written here. Also I’d sign it, hand it to him, and explain in spoken words the same thing. I’d keep at least two copies of the signed resignation letter. Then I’d hug the lady goodbye and leave for good.
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Reply to Fawnby
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OP, I would tell your clients husband you do not feel comfortable following his instructions and for that reason, rather than go against his wishes and get fired, you're resigning this position. I'm sorry you've been put into such a position to begin with. The husband, like many men, is in denial about his wife's true condition and is not making good decisions based on her NEEDS, not her WANTS.

Best of luck to you.
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Reply to lealonnie1
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This is not a healthy situation at all and I don't see how you can convince the husband that she needs help. You absolutely could be in trouble for dropping her of , if she doesn't find a way home. That and the guilt you would feel. The job is not worth any of that.

When I did caregiving I worked through a company, which was good because if I saw a situation that was dangerous to them or me I could call the office, they would figure it out or send me someplace else. For example if a large client was to big for me and I was worried about them falling or falling on me.
I think you need a new job.
Best of luck,
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Reply to Anxietynacy
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The husband needs to put his wife into memory care if he does not want to be around Alzheimers. She needs to be placed. It's not safe to drop her off anywhere on her own because she needs constant supervision. She is not going to get this at home.

Just so I get this correct. The client's husband instructs you to drop off his wife with Alzheimer's alone near to home so she can walk around. When someone has dementia, they aren't 'walking around' they are wandering and this is dangerous.

If the client's husband "instructed" you to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge after your shift, or a tall building, or a cliff for that matter, would you?

My guess is you wouldn't because you'd have sense enough not to.
Why then do you not have sense enough to know that a person with Alzheimer's disease cannot be "dropped off" anywhere and left on their own?

Don't come onto a forum of caregivers and expect anyone here to justify your collecting of a paycheck when you are putting a mentally diminished person with Alzheimer's disease in danger every single day.

Shame on you. You should be ashamed of yourself and no mistake.

I own a homecare agency. If you worked for me and did what you are doing with this client every day, I would see you taken out in cuffs and charged with everything from elder abuse to endangerment to criminal neglect and anything else the cops can think of. The client's husband too. Quit this job and don't take on anymore caregiver jobs.
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AlvaDeer May 28, 2024
I am not clear on this post at all.
At some point our OP mentions mental illness.
At another she mentions dementia, and if her assessment of the deficits in the percentages she mentions are correct, I am not seeing how "dropping her off near home" can even allow this client to make her way home.
I cannot believe, in all honesty that we have a husband and a caregiver dropping off a client, leaving a client without care.

I am hoping the OP returns to us and answers these questions.
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I’d suggest that before actually resigning, you talk to client’s husband and say that you are considering resigning. As far as H is concerned, nothing has gone wrong, and W’s issues are having very little impact on his life. His best option (so far as he knows) is just to continue the way things are. If you tell him that you may resign, it will probably shock him. He will probably want to find ‘another you’ to continue the way things are now.

Perhaps you add on that when you resign you will probably report your worries to APS. This will be to protect you if something goes wrong shortly after you leave. It would be better if both you and H together call in APS to take a look at W’s situation and provide an assessment about how to go forward. You still have the option of resigning, but they may have the ‘solid advice’ that you are looking for. That would be better for everyone involved.
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Reply to MargaretMcKen
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Makeadifference,

You say in an earlier post that you have spoken with the husband about your concerns.

Can you please share with us what he said back to you?

This husband is totally irrational. Don’t follow his instructions. You are placing your client in jeopardy. She should be in a facility where she can be monitored 24/7 by a professional staff.

Don’t place yourself in this position either. You don’t know if he will turn the tables on you and blame you, if something does happen to his wife.

Get out now before something disastrous occurs. Give your notice.

Let the husband figure out what to do. He’s either going to place her or be sorry for not placing her. It’s his responsibility to make sure that his wife is properly cared for.

Think about it. How many people do you think would follow this man’s instructions? Why should you? You shouldn’t.
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Reply to NeedHelpWithMom
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Yup, time for a 2 week notice.

Wife should be in a memory care facility anyway.
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Reply to olddude
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I could not do in good conscience what he expects out of you. Seems to me he has a life somewhere else. I would talk to APS. This could ckme back to bite you. This woman needs to be put someplace safe.
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Grandma1954 May 28, 2024
I agree but OP did say (besides calling APS)
APS might be what this person needs to wake them up to the situation.
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