05/13/2026
In home caregiving is a unique work environment. Supervision is limited and Integrity is everything. Below is a real life example that recently occurred involving a caregiver and client. We are grateful for our staff who lookout for the vulnerable and operate with the highest standards.
"While providing care for a client with dementia, I encountered a situation that required careful ethical judgment. I was assisting with light housekeeping when I came across a pile of papers. The client instructed me to discard them, but out of an abundance of caution, I suggested we briefly review the contents to ensure nothing important was thrown away. The client stated she had already gone through them, but I chose to double-check due to her cognitive impairment.
During this review, I discovered a bank envelope containing a significant amount of cash in $50 and $100 bills. I immediately brought this to the client’s attention and encouraged her to place the money in a secure location, such as her purse. Due to her dementia, she became confused and insisted the money belonged to me, attempting to place it in my possession and later offering to give me some of it.
I clearly and respectfully declined, maintaining professional boundaries and reinforcing that the money belonged to her and should remain in her care. After some hesitation, she agreed and secured the funds in her purse.
Recognizing the potential vulnerability and risk involved, I promptly notified her daughter to ensure family awareness. I also reported the incident to my agency and completed a formal concern report with social services in accordance with policy.
This situation demonstrated my commitment to ethical care by protecting the client’s property, maintaining professional integrity, and ensuring transparency through proper reporting channels. My priority was safeguarding the client’s well-being while upholding the trust placed in me as a caregiver."
