Mom lives alone and my dog stays with her one day a week, while I work. I've had 2 aides that are not pet friendly and only stayed a couple of days (through Medicaid). I'm getting a lot of pushback from the agency saying it's difficult to find a pet friendly person. They don't tell the aide prior to coming that there is a dog, although Ive requested this multiple times. In the past I've had 3 private aides that are fine with the dog. What can I do? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
If this is actually the truth, then the answer is simple. You make other arrangements for your pet.
Most homecare agencies don't really tell their caregivers anything when they send them out onto an assignment. Their main objective is getting a worker in a house and collecting that money. They couldn't care less what the aide is being sent into.
It's not difficult to find an aide who is pet-friendly. I think the agency you're using is looking to drop your mother from their service. If she is on Medicaid they may not be getting their money fast enough or in the amount they want to collect for their caregivers. This happens often.
The best bet is to see if the dog can be kept in another room while the aide is at your mother's house.
thank you for your answer. People are harsh here. Yes, I agree with you and what the agencies need to accomplish. Although I request a pet friendly person they neglect to tell the aides. It seems to always be a surprise. The aide is not responsible for anything with the dog. I have a Dogwalker who comes to walk and feed. My dog is a beagle who keeps Mom company and helps with her anxiety. She will basically just sit next to her.
Thank you!
A story - back in the day I cleaned houses and often let myself in when my clients were not home. One place had a German shepherd that invariably met me at the door lunging and barking, and even though I was assured it was friendly and it settled once I entered it I never felt completely safe in that home.
One of my first jobs was summer replacement for an office manager who had gone on vacation. Two men worked in the office, and I answered phone calls and tracked them down, added register receipts from their many businesses, created cash flow documents, did all correspondence, filing, receptionist, etc. I was busy all the time and just learning the ropes, as the regular employee left no instructions. THEN - in walks Mrs. Boss with her toy poodle. When she went out for her looongg days of shopping or lunch, I was expected to walk the dog, feed and water the dog, play with the dog, and all while learning to do quite a complicated job for which I'd been given few guidelines. They'd never mentioned that doggie was part of my job.
I had my hands full, and though doggie was nice, she kept me from fulfilling my basic job duties. Like, I couldn't answer the phone and track down the two partners if I was out walking doggie. Partners grew impatient if I wasn't at their beck and call. They didn't consider that the dog was a problem, but they sure weren't the one taking care of it.
I was very young and didn't know enough to ask, but I should have had extra compensation for doggie duties. Maybe if you'd offer extra to the aides for dog care, they'd stick around.
I would wonder what breed this dog is? If a Pitbull or mix I would not stay in the same house with it. Actually, I am not big on large dogs. Are the aides required to take care of your dog?if so, thats not right. They are being paid to care for Mom, not the dog unless if owned by Mom.
How often must it be emphasized that NOT EVERYONE is a “dog person”? For goodness’ sake, if your caregiver says “no” to Precious Poochie-Pie, then either find another place for it, or find another helper.
Or, Medicaid doesn't cover enough hours for those aids and they request different assignments that give them more hours, more consistently week to week. That was the challenge for my LO when hiring agency aids (even though she was not on Medicaid).
There is an option comfortable with pets
- Clearly, they are not listening to you ... wasting your time and theirs.
- Why do you (continue) to repeat yourself multiple times? Clearly they are not listening to you.
* Do the care providers NEED to be through Medicaid?
If not, you may have a lot more options re hiring.
* If you work with another / different agency, tell them they must tell prospective caregivers that dogs are involved. And then ask what their experience is with dogs. (Some agency owners may want to try anyway to get paid - as well, some caregivers may push too - although not be able to manage dogs or show any compassion.)
- You need to interview yourself - over the phone and then in person.
* Lastly, if you do not need to go through Medicaid, try posting at a pet store. It may be a long shot although this is where you will certainly find the 'pet friendly / pet experienced' people.
* It is a double work load to work with the elder and the dogs.
* Not everyone can do this.
Perhaps have an area only for the dogs - so they have boundaries - as needed to interact with the people in the home.
Gena / Touch Matters
Harsh...I find that dog owners think everyone should love their dogs. And I agree that at their homes, its also the animals home. So, if I don't like their dog then I don't visit. I have a right to my feelings. I had a very territorial cat. No dog or cat would set foot on my property. My brother was visiting my Mom and my SIL brought her dog to visit without asking first. I told her he could not come into the house because of my cat. She could tie him up outside. She did not like that and left.