Follow
Share

The company sent to us by the VA has continually failed with employees who come into our home, work a week or two and they quit at Silver Angels, their employer. I need someone honest who is dependable so I can make plans, like going to the grocery store. The VA pays but this company cannot keep employees nor are they trained to do anything. All I need is light house keeping and intelligent company for my husband if I have to be away from our home. My husband has early onset dementia brought on by brain injuries, falling etc..

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
You are experiencing what home care companies are experiencing with recruitment and retention. Add into the mix, a client who may not be cooperative with an inexperienced employee. I read an article that nationwide, companies are turning away up to 30 % new clients. Pay is too low for employees to make a real living. All you can do is shop for a different company. Also have you thought about adult daycares?
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

I found an agency myself. You can call around and ask if they accept VA payments. Once you find one (hopefully more than one), interview them then give the social worker the information on the one you prefer and they may can make the connection. You can ask and may get more hours later so you definitely want an agency you feel comfortable.

The first agency the VA assigned to us was not the quality I wanted. You may have a choice as long as the agency accepts VA payments.

Let the social worker aware of the issues you are having with the agency they assigned.

FYI - I have learned all VA Hospitals do not always provide the same benefits, so you may not have this option with yours. It may be based on the individual facility budgets.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

We had the same issue - we settled for serial monogamy. Unfortunately the demand is much larger than the supply of willing caregivers.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report
KPWCSC Oct 2022
What does “serial monogamy” mean in this context?
(2)
Report
Sandy, you should be raising these questions with the social worker assigned to your husband's care. The VA has teams, with a doctor, social worker, and perhaps others - we just had the two for our team.

The social worker and VA should always be informed if the contracted caregiving service isn't performing.

When you call the VA, ask about the "friendly visitor" (I think that's what it's called) program. In our area, some individuals volunteered to visit Veterans in their homes to provide companionship. That might be an alternative to a caregiver when you need to be out of the house.

There may be some issues and problems though if you're in a rural area, but I believe the VA compensates for mileage, so that's not an excuse for using an underperforming company.

Check the correspondence from the VA (such as setting appointments, etc.) or just call directly to determine who the assigned social worker is.

Also, document the unacceptable activity on the part of the existing service, so the VA can consider this in whether or not it continues to use this contractor.

BTW, there's nothing Aging Care can do; it can't represent your husband with the VA or become involved with a contractor hired by the VA.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter