Inefficient carers

gussiefinknottle1

Hello all, I’ve been having visits from carers from adult social care providers for a month now. There are several different ladies who visit. One visit is for some sort of domestic services and twice my bathroom has been cleaned, however I closed the bathroom door after turning off the radiator in there and was horrified by the amount of dust bunnies I saw I checked my kitchen and found it’s the same. Now I’m upset because I don’t know what I can ask them to do if they’re not going to do it properly! I’ve been running on empty this weekend and haven’t had the oomph to deal with it myself even though it’s only to use the hoover and mop. I’ve just spent half an hour washing the pots in the kitchen and my back is about finished!

Incidentally I’m paying a contribution to the council for Adult Social Care services that I didn’t begrudge paying until I saw that the standard its not up to snuff. I don’t expect it to be perfect but basic is the minimum!

I’ve got a perfectly good lightweight cylinder vacuum cleaner, I don’t want to patronise anyone by showing them how to use it. And likewise my Flash Speed mop as it is simple and hygienic and could be used by a child. I’ve got numerous cleaning products that are very effective but if you don’t know how to use them or don’t want to put any effort in it’s all useless.

What can I do?

Holly_Scope

Hi @gussiefinknottle1 hope you're doing ok. I think the best course of action is to talk to them next time they visit and ask if they can tackle these areas. And if you’re happy to, offer the use of the vacuum etc. If it persists, and you’re unhappy with the service, it might be worth speaking to someone more senior at the care organisation. But hopefully talking to them will avoid the need 😊

SheffieldMan1976

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1121346#Comment_1121346

With respect Holly, I know from experience that talking to senior management about care issues is a complete and utter waste of time 95% of the time, because they just deflect any and all complaints back on the service user.

I've also suffered from incompetent worse than useless Agency staff as well.

gussiefinknottle1

I guess you’re right Holly. My next domestic visit isn’t till next week as I’ve had to cancel this week due to an appointment.

I’m just going to have to live with the dust bunnies for the time being. But before the next domestic visit I’m going to take the vacuum cleaner stick off so that they can just use the hose only to get behind the doors, put out some cleaning materials, cloths and products so that they can see whats available for use and suggest again that they wet dust some of the worst surfaces as dry dusting sometimes is only moving it around and won’t remove it.

SoapySoutar

The thing is, no domestic helper is going to pay attention to detail like you do, i am the same with the man who does my garden; that doesn't mean they get away with half a job, just maybe not quite to your own high standards?

SheffieldMan1976

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1121393#Comment_1121393

Indeed, because they don't get paid enough to do anything beyond the bare minimum.

I mean don't get me wrong, not all carers are incompetent, over the years I've had some excellent ones who I was proud to call my friends, but still…..

Holly_Scope

That's a good idea with the cleaning bits. Will you let us know how you get on @gussiefinknottle1?

gussiefinknottle1

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1121393#Comment_1121393

you must be joking this flat would give Stacey Solomon nightmares! I’ve got a 25 year old sofa that has a dent in it like jumbo sat on it, the living room carpet has threadbare patches and a dark gray streak across it. Old kitchen units in every room including the toilet but not the bathroom, the bedroom windows are completely inaccessible and haven’t been washed for 10 years. My toilet was incorrectly installed by a council worker after it leaked so it’s not against the back wall. Non of the walls have been repapered for nearly 40 years and haven’t been painted for over 15 years neither has any of the paint work been touched or the ceilings!

are you getting a picture yet? If this is high standards…. I’ve seen better befores’ on “how clean is your house” 20 odd years ago.

SoapySoutar

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1121533#Comment_1121533

You will appreciate that i can't see your house via the Scope Forum? I have no idea who Stacey Solomon is.

All I was trying to say was that if you are anything like me, you have your own idea about what a vacuumed and mopped floor looks like, but hired help is unlikely to pay such attention to detail.

It's all about letting go and accepting the compromise. You no longer have to find the strength to clean, as someone else does it, but perhaps just not as thoroughly.

I haven't yet taken the plunge, but my floors are desperately needing a clean (dirty wheelchair tracks), and I can't remember which year my wet room last got a scrub. I need to get someone in.