HM
heather Maize
Jul 5, 2020
Yesterday, after less than a week of Addus providing services for my mother, we were sent a caregiver with COVID-19 symptoms. She came in, was given a tour, and sat at our table BEFORE mentioning she’d been TOLD by her supervisor to let us know she’d been sick the day before. She said they told her if we weren’t comfortable with her staying they would try to find someone else. When we asked what her symptoms were she said she’d had a fever. (With three high risk people in our home, someone coming in with a fever is concern enough.) When asked how long ago she’d had a fever and if she’d had any other symptoms, she said “Last night.” (She told us she had been scheduled to come the day before but called out.) I had to ask specifically if she’d had a cough. She told us that she’d been coughing and sneezing along with the fever. She then told us she’d call the office and let them know we’d like someone else. She then asked if we still wanted someone to come tomorrow. We told her yes. She went to her car, then came back to the door to tell me “they” would call. They did not. The day before when no one showed up, I called and after a long hold was told they had left a voicemail for my father. I left very specific instructions to call my phone about any future issues because my father rarely hears his phone. The person I spoke to confirmed my request and checked my number for accuracy. After ALL of this, TODAY my father received a call (which went to voicemail) from the office at 10:57, verifying that we DID NOT want this employee to come today. When he returned the call they said they were told we had declined service because we had family coming over. That was a lie. (I’m guessing the caregivers still get paid for their trip if they say a client is declining for personal reasons.) Our service is scheduled for 11 am (although we keep hearing 11:30 from people) so receiving a call at 10:57 the morning of the next scheduled service (after crickets for two days prior) seems like a sad attempt at CYA to me. This is the third time we’ve been told someone would call yet heard nothing. To be clear, this isn’t a situation of senior citizens with nobody watching their back. We will not tolerate people taking advantage of our parents. I hope this review prompts some action to right a wrong and move forward without further incident. As it stands now we could not recommend this service especially on the weekends. *Kayla provided excellent care for two days after our first caregiver became ill.