To the paid caregiver at my clinic visit yesterday,

The woman you are paid to care for seemed very distressed and confused. She was wheelchair bound, appeared to be at least in her late 80s and was on oxygen. She kept leaning towards you to ask about her upcoming appointment. Which brings me to the rant portion of this letter:

You are PAID to look after this woman. Like it or not, she is your employer. You may pick up a check from a home health agency every week, but you owe a certain level of duty and respect to this woman. Sitting on your phone, chatting away loudly, b!tching about how you are going to have to "work" until 5:30, instead of getting off at 4:00 because the person who was supposed to relieve you wasn't coming in was bad enough, but when the woman turned to you and you put up your perfectly manicured hand and made the "phone" sign and then went back to ignoring her, you showed that you have no real compassion for her or her situation, you just see her care as your way to a meal ticket.

I was early for my appointment and watched as you talked away for at least 10 minutes, physically turning your back on her when she tried to get your attention a second time. If HIPAA rules didn't prevent me from finding out, I would have asked my physician for the woman's contact info so I could let her loved ones know what a great level of care you were providing.

I sincerely hope that when you reach the end of your days, and you find yourself in a wheelchair, helpless to do anything for yourself, someone gives you the exact same level of care and compassion that you showed her.

LWW