In-Home Caretakers Terrible, MCU Much Better

My husband is a veteran have him in a VA homenow but there are too many and too few and not so good CNA's. Not sure what to do next as most nursing homes are 5 to 10 thousand a month and too expensive for me

@janiceanntheresa Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I’m glad you found this site. All of the members here are so nice and so helpful. You say that your husband is in a VA home now. How long has he been there? Does he need lots of care? As a retired nurse, I know how it is for families to view the staffing and/or the attitude of staff. The best thing you can do is to start being friendly with the staff. Let your manner show that you aren’t there to criticize them or to try to tell them what to do. I think, and have always thought, that a CNA’s job is the most difficult and thankless there is in healthcare. A show of support goes a long way. Don’t try to move him to a new place. You may find similar problems, but at a greater cost. Sorry,
I certainly don’t mean to welcome you and then be a Debbie-downer. I know the members here will have more positive info for you. And keep asking questions!

Thank you for your response. I found your answer helpful but I was not criticizing the LPN's who are in charge of his unit. I have tried to and formed a relationsip with them. And it was not easy they are much too busy to speak to you most of the time. I am speaking in regard to those who are the CNA's. There are those who have given me inaccurate information and who do not seem to have much initiative. Those are the people who work there for a paycheck and can IMO be dangerous to those who need a lot of help. Maybe they have an attitude because there is not enough help and too many very mentally ill or sick there but it is concerning. It would be a slippery slope to complain to the Administrator of the facility who is very nice and friendly however having worked for the Government for 35 years criticism is not well tolerated.

@janiceanntheresa Yes, I understand that you were speaking of the CNAs. I’m just saying to try to help the CNAs but making their job less stressful. I know that criticism up-the-line is way less than helpful. Not enough help and too many sick patients is, unfortunately, the story of healthcare today. And, also unfortunately, many veterans don’t have families to keep an eye on them.
I’m sorry for the misunderstanding between us—let’s be e-friends!

Yes let's be friends. I always welcome good and helpful advice. My new problem is dealing with the billing department of mental health for the VA. They seem to have forgotton I paid them 2 onths ago and sent me a bill that does not show payment. It is one thing or another dealing with VA nursing homes. I cannot even get the doctor that services the VA hospital to tell me what is going on with my husband who has Alzheimer'safter he was sent to the hospital from the VA nursing home.

Maybe it’s not the correct place to make this comment but after only two months of using two different memory care facilities, I have now come to the conclusion that lying among the administrators and staff is endemic in these facilities. I have stopped counting the number of lies that I have been told regarding my husband‘s Care. I put cameras in his room without permission to view what was going on and though not abuse it is definitely not what you are told you are going to experience. Sometimes there are just downright lies going on. The administrators will lie of course because they wanna make a sale or have you stay at the facility. Unfortunately, the staff lie because they’re protecting their jobs and they don’t want the administrators to find out what’s going on. It’s a horrible horrible situation and I know the vast majority of people can’t even afford private memory care much less to keep their loved ones at home, but please be forewarned do everything in your power possible to watch over your loved one in these facilities unless you’re able to completely click everything off in your mind in your heart, which is the more desired possibility. By the way, the two facilities, my husband has been in are the two most highly respected facilities in the area. And cost 10,000 a month.

We have used an agency and paid for private in home sitters. I refused to pay under the table and instead kept up with their pay and put it all on an easy to fill out 1099 form. That way I can take the expenses off on taxes, and they add to their social security. For the ones that were afraid to lose food stamps, WIC etc., I did not flinch and they could leave or lose benefits and make legitimate money, and be proud of providing for themselves WITHOUT government assistance. However, I have used an agency and independent people. I have decided to stay with the agency. Less check writing, they handle the schedule, and I can enjoy my hubby more. If someone calls out, a replacement is sent. We have had a few glitches, but I called and the problem was remedied immediately. I also have a list of preferred caregivers (that took a bit of time to develop with the agency) and those are the only ones that come here. They are 24/7, they are paid weekly, I approve the schedule in advance, and they are covered by the agency's insurance.
We also have the Veteran's Direct Care of 40 hours a week. This person has to be an independent contractor or a family member. However, homeowners insurance will tell you they are covered...this is not true. When I asked if someone is in our home as an employee, and gets hurt, is it covered. The answer is not as long as they are getting paid for work. They must have their own insurance. (The VA will sell workman's comp insurance for a reasonable fee. )
My dad was in a facility. It cost $8,700 a month for a room. Even at that rate, it was understaffed and cleanliness for him and the room was an issue. My siblings and I visited him three times a day because we loved him dearly AND to be sure his needs were met. It was exhausting.....I will not do that to my hubby as the facilities in this area, regardless of cost, all seem to have similar issues with staffing, care, food.....etc.
I hope maybe I have shown some positives about each one (except the "reputable facility").
Very happy with using a nationwide agency! I just have to be very specific about who I prefer to have in our home. (I did use a mom and pop agency for a bit and that was not near the quality of the one we use that is also a VA approved agency.)
Sorry for rambling..please excuse errors...hubby needs me!

@teacher502 Happy Friday!!! Thank you for sharing. What agency did you use?

@cyds
It is Cornerstone! Not sure if we are allowed to put agency names on this site.....if not allowed, the admins will delete.