No one wants to work on Thanksgiving, Christmas or any big holiday, but certain jobs demand it. Caregiver agencies provide around-the-clock service to clients, but what happens on holidays when employees call in at the last minute or just don't show up at the client's home? A "no-show" situation can be disastrous for the person with a profound disability who depends on a caregiver for assistance with his most basic needs.
Paid Caregivers Create Holiday Anxiety for Clients and Families
A paid caregiver can work for an agency or be an independent self-employed worker. Some clients prefer to hire and train their own caregivers. Wherever the hired caregiver comes from, a written job description is a must. Make it very clear (in writing) if hired caregivers are expected to work on holidays.
Anyone who's ever had any experience with hired caregivers knows how important it is to have a reliable backup person (or two) who can come to work on the spur of the moment. Sometimes, however, even the most reliable backup person may be unavailable. It's no wonder that some clients and families have come to dread the holiday season.
When a Caregiver Doesn't Show Up for Holiday Work
What happens when a caregiver suddenly decides not to come to work on a holiday as planned? At the worst, the client (and possibly his family) is left to fend for himself. Caregiver agencies try to have enough backup workers available, but what happens when their staff is maxed out? When no caregiver is available, the client who's completely dependent may not be able to get out of bed. He can't eat. He doesn't get dressed or get his medications. He doesn't get to the toilet, either.
Clients have been known to call emergency services for assistance when no caregiver is available and there are no other options. Relatives who live far away can't always answer the call for help. Friends may not be available to help or don't have the necessary skills to manage certain caregiver duties.
Care Giving Doesn't Take a Holiday
Holidays and weekends go with the territory in certain healthcare fields. Hospitals certainly don't close on holidays and neither do continuing care facilities like nursing homes. The "territory" also includes caregivers, paid and unpaid.
Employing backup caregivers is always a smart move, but it may not be an option for some people. Plus, it's asking a lot to keep 3 or more people "on-call" and close to home on a holiday. I know of at least one client who invites his two backup caregivers and their immediate families over to share a catered Christmas holiday dinner. He has his caregivers handy and everyone has a good time.
Take the stress and anxiety out of this year's holiday plans. If at all possible, schedule a caregiver that isn't likely to back out at the last minute. As a precaution, inform the agency (if you use one) that you'll need a backup person should anything go wrong.
If you don't normally use an agency, then get one; you never know when you might need the extra help. Agencies can't always fill requests for immediate caregivers on holidays, but they might still be able to supply some sort of help. The agency might be able to find a worker who's willing to come in later in the day. It may not be a perfect solution, but at least it's something. Caregiver assistance for half a day or even a few hours is better than none at all.
Mary King - Mary King is a Suite101 Topic Editor for the Caregiver Support and Home Management sections. She has authored 5 teen-based novels.
Join the Conversation