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Almost a Miracle, instead Battle Stations

  • Posted on December 7, 2010 at 2:11 pm

Yesterday, was almost a minor miracle, in the world of home support. For only the SECOND TIME in a year and half, we would have had our entire schedule complete, as originally posted.   

Just one day short, the scheduled worker didn’t show up.  Now, this time, it really was because she was sick, though you know, until I had it confirmed, I didn’t buy into it. I figured just one more instance of BCS screwing things up, simply because they can.

Since April/May 2009, we have had a BCS schedule, and since July 2009, it has been a daily schedule.  To have only ONE SINGLE INSTANCE of their 8 day schedule be completed, does not give one any confidence.

It is also a sore point, as well as being a source of added stress, and inconvenience. It has serious health ramifications, as well.

It would be nice, to be able to give them the benefit of the doubt, but when you abuse that trust, virtually weekly, for months on end, it is rather stupid to give them any such benefit.

A properly run organization, would have a schedule that made sense, that was adhered to, rather than treated as a sob, to Patients.  The need to have specialized workers, who deal solely in covering for other workers, on vacation or sick, would eliminate a lot of the needless stress.

Thing is, BCS seems oblivious to all this, which not only frustrates the Patients, but their own workers. I mean come on, do you really think that these schedulers enjoy getting angry calls from Patients, from Workers?

I guess when you make nearly a quarter of a million dollars a year, you just really don’t give a damn.  Right Ms Isabelle McKenzie?

Intimidating or Protective?

  • Posted on September 1, 2010 at 9:40 am
This entry is part 4 of 7 in the series Vacation Hell

Todays worker, a substitute (Augustina), has been here before.  Still, so was Monday’s worker (Charlotte). The new rule in this house, all new workers who haven’t been here for some time, get to read the new care plan.

IT IS SIMPLE, THEY CAN’T BE EXPECTED TO REMEMBER EVERY DETAIL FOR EVERY PATIENT, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY HAVEN’T BEEN THERE FOR WEEKS OR MONTHS.

SO WHY BITCH ABOUT HAVING TO READ WHAT IS EXPECTED?

And yet, that is exactly what today’s worker did. Very argumentative, because gee, she is limited on time.  Well she is here for FIFTY MINUTES, she has plenty of time to spend 5 minutes or even 10 minutes to read the plan. 

IT AVOIDS MISTAKES & UNNECESSARY QUESTIONS.

It also insures that I don’t forget to detail something, which is possible.  I do not get what is the matter with workers today. Is it NO LONGER a profession, but merely a paycheck?  Is that all that really matters to these people?

I cannot believe the attitude I got, from simply insuring that the Care Plan be read. I was forced to stand, and say, either read it, or leave.  Seriously, if something is going to make your work go faster, and be properly done, why object to it?  What are you afraid of?

This whole bullshit, is becoming almost comical, in a Keystone Cop way.

Schedules altered at the last second, phone calls with out right lying about changes, under the guise of being helpful, in informing us of changes.   It is BULLSHIT!    It happens so often, it is like some childish game being played out.

BOTTOM LINE »  It is my Mother, and I WILL protect her interests, at any cost. If some worker thinks otherwise, or if Beacon Community Services think they can wear me down, they ALL have another thing coming.   I WILL NOT BACKDOWN!

And It Begins

  • Posted on July 12, 2010 at 9:24 am

Last Thursday [July 8 2010] they took our regular worker, sent her elsewhere, and gave us Anjoli [substitute].   She wasn’t bad, but again, not a clue about what was required of her, so naturally, it wouldn’t be the best care.

Today [July 12 2010] they have done it again, sending us Surjit to substitute for our regular worker.   AND WE HAVE A REAL WINNER HERE.

  1. To begin with she is allergic to cigarette smoke.  Great idea sending her to a smoker’s house
  2. They provided NO INFORMATION to her on what was expected.
  3. She didn’t knock, didn’t ring the doorbell, she TRIED TO JUST WALK IN WITH A DOG BARKING.
  4. NO visible ID, but did have it when I asked.

Makes you wonder, as she didn’t remove any of her outer clothing, talks quietly, which is super when you have an old lady who is hard of hearing.

Last weeks switch, was because they sent our regular to one place, as that person’s regular was off, for whatever reason.  So, once again we are put into the position where TWO PATIENTS get TWO DIFFERENT NEW WORKERS for their care.

How is that providing quality care?

Right now, I hear nothing.  In other words, the worker is doing her job [I surmise] in silence. How capable, is up for debate. 

Consistent care &  trained workers are needed. IT SHOULD BE A REQUIREMENT, and yet VIHA couldn’t care less, nor does Beacon Community Services.  It is amazing at how difficult it has been to set up regular workers, good workers.  And yet how consistent Beacon has been, in doing everything it can to jam up the works.

Substitute #2

  • Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:04 am

Going to be interesting to see, what substitute #2 will be like. Monday it was supposed to be Anita, that turned into a Trudy, and today it is supposed to be a Pamela.  Will it be her, or another sub for a sub?

I can understand, how at times people need a break. Hell, wish I could get one, but that really isn’t an issue for me. What is an issue, is the quality of staff being sent into the homes, which frankly scares the crap out of me.

IF the quality of staff that I have experienced where like the regulars we have, my stress levels would be conciderably less. I wouldn’t be wondering if I’ll have to call 911 to get a Paramedic in, because of some incompetent person. I wouldn’t be having nightmares that behind that closed bathroom door, a worker is assaulting or hurting my 92 year old mother.

YES it is a stretch, an over active imagination, however it is fueled by the numerous workers I have seen, who simply haven’t a clue as to how to do their job. It is fueled by workers who are not good in dealing with elderly patients, and more than that, is fueled by a Company that refuses to provide information as to the qualifications & training given to their workers.

Before I could Finish

In checking the schedule, after 9am, when the worker was due, it appears that well, THEY FORGOT ABOUT WEDNESDAY.   Kind of goes to show you, just how in tune this company, Beacon Community Services is, with their Patient Needs.

IN CALLING BEACON, it appears that in checking their schedule, they gave a big OOPS, then said that a Trudy was scheduled. Uh, sorry, if she had been scheduled, and it is now 9:30am why isn’t she here?

CAUSE NO ONE WAS SCHEDULED IS WHY!

Now I will give Lisa & Ben credit, for at least dealing with the issue quickly, however, the end result is this.

  1. Mother was sitting on her bed, waiting for the worker.
  2. The bed now needs changing
  3. My Schedule is shot
  4. I had to change her, and she’ll need a change again
  5. Added Laundry
  6. Breakfast is delayed, which means her regularly schedule medication is also delayed.
  7. A substitute for the substitute is being sent, another NEVER BEEN HERE BEFORE ONE.

I can accept mistakes, I really can, but it is more of HOW you deal with your mistakes, that makes a difference.  YES I should have noticed that there was no scheduled worker for today, Wednesday.  Course the schedule doesn’t come out until late Tuesday night, and this morning, I was still half asleep.  Not an excuse, merely an explanation.

This was not a last minute glitch. Beacon was fully aware that THE REGULAR SCHEDULED WORKER WOULD BE OFF TODAY TWO WEEKS AGO.   And that is what is perturbing, in that even knowing, they can’t figure it out.

IT IS THE PATIENT WHO SUFFERS FOR THEIR MISTAKES

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