HHA Horror Stories?

I'm about to finish up HHA training and work as a HHA for a couple months before I start my LPN program. I am really nervous about going into peoples house that I don't even know, is it safe? What kind of people have you encountered? Have you ever had to leave early because you didn't feel safe?

its not as bad as you think...you will like it

I have had to leave early because I didn't feel safe. I've been in several bad situations. One in which the father of a patient I was caring for tried to rape me. I later found out that my scheduler/supervisor knew about his tendencies which was very upsetting to me because she acted so surprised when I told her what happened and even tried to force me to stay on the case.
I've had violent clients that the company didn't know were violent, yet they sent me a small 21 year old into these homes they knew nothing about.
I've heard stories from fellow aides, of clients trying to stab them (happened to me too.) often clients accuse you of things you didnt do. The homes can be over-cluttered and filthy. Literally FILTHY. If you cant take strong overbearing smells, insects, pet dander, etc.. that you cant escape for a 4-8 hour shifts, I would think twice.
I would take time to talk to other HHA's you may know before you venture into this field. It's not for everyone. And you need to consider the fact that you are working alone with just that person you are caring for 9/10 times. That can be very dangerous.
Not everyone has as many bad HHA experiences as some of us do, but you should consider the probability that you will encounter a few.
I wish I'd had someone to tell me this when I first started. I would never have gone into this.

Anonymous in Akron, Ohio said: I have had to leave early because I didn't feel safe. I've been in several bad situations. One in which the father of a patient I was caring for tried to rape me. I later found out that my scheduler/supervisor knew about his tendencies which was very upsetting to me because she acted so surprised when I told her what happened and even tried to force me to stay on the case.
I've had violent clients that the company didn't know were violent, yet they sent me a small 21 year old into these homes they knew nothing about.
I've heard stories from fellow aides, of clients trying to stab them (happened to me too.) often clients accuse you of things you didnt do. The homes can be over-cluttered and filthy. Literally FILTHY. If you cant take strong overbearing smells, insects, pet dander, etc.. that you cant escape for a 4-8 hour shifts, I would think twice.
I would take time to talk to other HHA's you may know before you venture into this field. It's not for everyone. And you need to consider the fact that you are working alone with just that person you are caring for 9/10 times. That can be very dangerous.
Not everyone has as many bad HHA experiences as some of us do, but you should consider the probability that you will encounter a few.
I wish I'd had someone to tell me this when I first started. I would never have gone into this.

I hope you sued the company that sent you in there! I was considering doing this (HHA) after reading this, I think I won't.

I had a wonderful job as a homehealth aide, (it wasn't with a company) I worked for a a woman who had alzheimers. It was nice to cook for her and such and they were so appreciative and told me so. She went into a nursing home and I started a new job. It was horrendous. First the husband told me his wife needed someone to help her out around the house and run an errand or so. He metioned that sometimes she was a 'little' moody. Horrible understatement. They appreciated NOTHING we did. I found two other aides who were also home organizers, hairdressers, and real homecooking cooks and they also are seamstesses and one also a nurse and two of us knowledgable with different types of pets. If we cooked, she would feed it to the dogs that night after we left. She insisted on not wearing a depend but not tell us soon enough when she had to urinate. Her very large dogs slobbered us for 8 hrs we were there. I seen her roll her rascal towards the dogs and not slow down More than once the dog turned around and snapped towards her and the rascal. Another time she tried to run over my foot on purpose. Then when I tried to put her shoes on she threw such a tantrum that the two large dogs ran straight for me. She would accuse us of stealing her jewelry which she insisted on not keeping inside her house??????? Her van she traveled in did not have proper restraints for her or her rascal. (I refused to transport her until it was resolved but it did not keep them from persuading other persons to do it) She insited on not wearing a depend on 3-4 hr outings. I told her she was a two person lift and it was dangerous for me to lift her in the public restrooms and then not have clean dry clothing to replace her urinated ones. They refuse to use barrier pads on the bed, insisting instead on garbage bags and towels. She called me stupid,she slapped a box out of my hands,screamed at me, and micromanaged every move. She hit the other care giver shortly after I i quit.

Sounds like she is ready for the mental ward and sedation meds

I've been a CNA/HHA for about 6 years now. The key is getting a good assignment and holding onto that person for dear life. It can be a good job if you find a good client that doesn't mistreat you.

The worst part of the job is that it is so dysfunctional. It's very hard starting new clients. You will have to make judgment calls and it seems like I always make the wrong ones! (damned if you do, damned if you don't kinda thing). My advice would just to be drop a bad/ abusive client fast. Find a good agency as well. Be choosey if at all possible.

I've been in filthy homes, nasty smokey homes, had knives wielded at me more than once, had family members come in and blame me for everything! Heck, I have even had a live-in son bring in a prostitute and do drugs in the bedroom, then come out of his filthroom and blame me for the house being disgusting and cluttered! And it's back to the damn if you do, damned if you don't. If you would have started clearing out the house and cleaning up, they'd be like "You're throwing all my stuff away what are you doing! You just come in here and move EVERYTHING !!" You are pretty much considered a moron by doctors, nurses, family members no matter how well of a job you do. I think it makes people feel better about themselves. But like I said, the absolute key is finding a good client. An easy client. I know people need help and I don't mean to sound lazy, it's just not worth it if it's a difficult client.

Im a home health aid and needed advise to be assured if the job i chose is the right job for me. Tell you the truth i rather go work in a factory where there was not so many problems like the job i work at now, after reading about what happened at your jobs as home health aides really is helpful and I am very thankful that a client kindly sent me home without yelling, all he did was tell me that he can't have me there anymore if im going to keep on being nervous but hey what are you suppose to do if somebody keeps getting on your case about every little move you make and have you feel stupid like its not good enough they got whats annoying them off his or her chest, verbal abuse is something you do not need at all on the job.

I've been an aide for a year and 3 months. All I can say is that this job is definitely not for everyone. For one you don't have steady hours, you can go from having an eight hour case to having a 3 hour case in a heartbeat. The patients i have had have been horrible.

I have been spit on, punched, hair pulled, lied on etc .Sometimes its not even the patient but the patients family. I have had a knife pointed at me, been threatened by the patients family and attacked and almost bitten by the patients dog.

The part that irritates me the most is that despite you telling your coordinator these events they try to force you to stay on the case and they know but dont warn you about the violent patients, their pets, and crazy family members.

I dont like how I am being treated so I am quitting in about 2 weeks. The crazy patients, crazy family members, and barely getting any hours is not worth being this stressed.

Good luck to all you aids out there and like Kat said drop a bad patient fast.Listen to your instincts and if a patient makes you feel uncomfortable ask for another case. Don't take no for an answer.