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Greetings, I provide private in-home care for my ex-sister-in-law. She was diagnosed with MS 19 years ago. Her parents recently purchased a sit-to-stand mechanical lift that I now use to transfer her to and from the restroom, recliner, & shower chair. The issue I’m having is, client refuses to use medical devices correctly. Constantly criticizing me for doing so. Example: According to the manufacturer instructions, support sling is supposed to be reattached / unattached each use. "Why do you do stuff the hard way." "At my parents house they just flipped (sling) over my head." Client refuses to hold on to hand grips. Instead insists on placing hand & arms inside of boom lift. Claims she is unable to hold on otherwise. I expressed concern that this is unsafe numerous times. Pointed out redness skin under her arms. Afraid that skin will break any day. Resulting in open wound / pressure sore. My employment is not thru an agency. Therefore no supervisor to report issue to. Advice needed.

Can you find anything written instructions
you report if you’ve lost your job
You need to weigh up how much you need this job v how much you want to do the right thing
truth is ..
not even medical team are doing things properly - are you going to fight something that won’t change end of day

people get by until a problem arises then you can come down on them - this happening because you are cutting corners and it needs to stop for your mothers health
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Reply to Jenny10
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MargaretMcKen 19 hours ago
Jenny, this is an ex-SIL, not OP's mother, and OP hasn't 'lost her job'. ???
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Her parents (your ex-parents-in-law) bought this mechanical lifter. They are your alternative to a ‘supervisor to report to’. Tell them that client says you allowed her to use it wrongly in their house. Tell them that you will have to quit for your own safety. Suggest they remove it?
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Reply to MargaretMcKen
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Find a different client and quit. There are many people out there who need help, and there's no need for you to endanger your client or yourself. Her parents could sue you!
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Reply to Fawnby
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It sounds like the client is unable to cooperate with this method of transfer.
If she is telling you she is holding on the only way she can, then you need to adapt to her abilities.
Possibly her legs are not strong enough to stand, and she is trying to use her arms to help support her.
There is a Sit-to-stand sling in a U shape which has support under the legs. She isn't really standing, it kind of lifts in a sitting position.

To protect her arms, try placing arm sleeves or some type of padding.

At some point she may no longer be able to transfer in this way. You will need to find an alternate method, such as using two people, using a hoyer lift, and using a commode chair in lieu of getting her in to the restroom and on the toilet.
I hope the shower chair is on wheels, so you can place her on the chair, then push it in to the shower. I don't know how on earth you navigate any type of lift into the bathroom. And, if she is not strong enough to stand or hold on, getting out of the shower presents extra slip and fall hazards.

You can't make her adapt to what's easier for you. You need to adapt to her ability. And when it is no longer safe for you or for her, it is time to consider placement in a skilled nursing facility.
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Reply to CaringWifeAZ
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Either she cooperates or you quit. This is likely the same type of person who’d be quick to sue if something went wrong. Protect yourself
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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Tell her you'll quit if she doesn't follow the proper instructions.
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Reply to lealonnie1
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Are you a CNA? If so just tell them you could lose your certification if anyone found out you were doing it their way. You aren't in control of what they do when you aren't there.
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Reply to cwillie
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