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From The CEO’s Desk: No, You Can’t Trust Everyone

No, You Can’t Trust Everyone: Ensuring the Right Care for Your Loved Ones

 

It all began with a desperate call from a family member. Her elderly parents were in crisis: her mother, relying on a feeding tube, was losing dangerous amounts of weight, while her father was declining both physically and cognitively. Despite these alarming signs, they had a private nurse overseeing their care—someone they had entrusted to manage their health and safeguard their lives. However, as the family’s account unfolded, it became alarmingly clear that this trust had been misplaced.

During an assessment of the situation, shocking details came to light. The nurse wasn’t following prescribed medical guidelines for the mother’s tube feedings. Instead, feedings were administered based on her availability, leaving the client’s nutrition to chance. The timing of medications was similarly dictated not by the client’s health needs but by the nurse’s personal schedule. Despite recommendations from a doctor to seek a more suitable specialist, the nurse continued taking her client to an ill-suited provider. When the daughter suggested hiring caregivers to provide additional support, the nurse dismissed the idea outright, telling the family they didn’t need it.

The most chilling revelation? The nurse was found to have been exploiting the family’s trust financially—taking the client to the bank to give herself a raise. Throughout it all, she stopped by when it fit her schedule, not when her client needed her. She told the family what they wanted to hear, hiding the reality of her neglect. Tragically, the parents’ health and well-being were actively sabotaged by the very person entrusted to care for them.

This family’s heartbreaking experience underscores a critical truth: hiring a caregiver is not the same as ensuring quality care. Without proper oversight, even a hired professional with glowing references can act against your loved ones’ best interests. 

If this story makes you uneasy, it should. It highlights the importance of being vigilant and intentional when hiring and supervising those responsible for your loved ones. Here’s what you can do to prevent a similar tragedy:

1. Hire Through Trusted Agencies: Professional agencies often conduct rigorous background checks and provide accountability for caregivers.
2. Establish Oversight: Even with a private nurse or caregiver, there must be a system in place for oversight. Regular family check-ins, third-party evaluations, or a care manager can ensure the care being provided aligns with the needs of your loved ones.
3. Listen to Red Flags: If something feels off—whether it’s unexplained health issues, financial discrepancies, or resistance to outside help—investigate immediately.
4. Engage with Care: Visit often, ask detailed questions, and monitor changes in your loved ones’ condition. Visibility often deters misconduct.
5. Advocate for Team-Based Care: No one professional should have unchecked authority. A collaborative team approach ensures checks and balances.

For the family in this story, the damage caused by misplaced trust was severe. Their experience serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that not everyone who presents themselves as a caregiver is truly equipped—or willing—to provide the care your loved ones deserve.

By being vigilant, proactive, and involved, you can ensure your loved ones are protected from neglect, exploitation, and harm. Trust is earned, and oversight is indispensable. When it comes to the care of those who matter most, don’t leave anything to chance. No, you can’t trust everyone—but you can take the steps to ensure you only trust the right people.

For More Information on aging successfully for yourself or your loved ones, contact us today. 

www.senioroptionsfl.com

 

Shari Geller, MSW, CMC

CEO, Senior Options, Inc.