URGENT QUESTION! Self employed caregivers to a 72 yr old alcoholic woman, 4 months post hip replacement surgery and the woman is on opiods for pain. Is caregiver liable if she falls or dies as a direct result of these combinations? Is it illegal on the caregiver behalf to even dispense these to patient? Footnote " sorry I wasn't aware this was actually going to be posted already! This woman doesn't drive and has basically 24/7 private pay caregivers. The main caregiver has been involved in this woman's life for 7 yrs and basically handles all aspects. Patient has no children and is soon to be a widow. (Irrelevant) Caregiver does the shopping and buys cases of 1/2 gallons of vodka. Patient is prescribed a few "reg" medications that aren't being dispensed,( citalopram, omeprazole) probably others I'm unsure of. She's also on opiods daily. Either hydrocodone 10/325 and recently Oxycodone 10mg Immediate Release. She's 4 months post right hip replacement, needs other hip done, has a huge hernia (LLQ) overweight, uses a Rollator Walker and has often tripped and fallen when she was left alone. Recently she almost always has a caregiver. However main " caregiver " isn't really a caregiver, she started out as house cleaner 7 yrs ago, transition to house manager and caregiver that has now hired 2 real caregivers. The patient has been an alcoholic for decades. She has a cup of vodka 24/7 at all times. She drinks 24/7. While I'm aware there's no caregiver has to do this, she'd either quit or be fired. Probably never even hired as the vodka use is discussed pre-employment. Also caregiver fills a water bottle with vodka whenever they have to go somewhere, which is usually only to medical appts! Sooo now that I've set the scene, and I apologize for length! If the patient falls, or DIES which would obviously be a direct result of mixing opiods and Vodka, can rhe caregiver legally be charged in some form for the death???
When I did campion care, I was not qualified for distribution of opioids. So I didn't distribute them, and the office told us not too.
Then your adding alcohol to the mix. That's a very dangerous mix. If your the caregiver and if the family or the client is asking you to distribute them.
I'd get a new job, ASAP
I would think after 4 months there should be no need for the opiods anymore. And I would say the combination could be deadly. If you are not handing them to her, I don't see where the liability would be. I would not even hand her the bottle or pill planner. Remind and let her get her pills.
Does she have family? If so, talk to them. Maybe consult with a lawyer. (there is legal aid, they charge on scale) Have a letter written up that if she continues to combine the two, you are not responsible for the consequences. Both of you sign it, maybe witness and definitely notarized. I may also call her doctor and make him aware. She may now be addicted to the opiods. Maybe time to stop the perscription.
If I was a paid caregiver, I would not want any part of this horrible and disturbing situation. And the fact that the caregiver is enabling this woman by going out and buying her vodka, is just wrong on so may levels.
This woman needs to now be under the care and supervision of APS, and I hope that one of you involved in this horrific story will have the balls to call and report her as a vulnerable addict, and let them come out and take over everything.
1. Who is in care?
2. What is the competency of the person in care?
3. Is MD prescribing opiates aware of any alcoholism?
4. Is the caregiver aware of the deadly affect of combining alcohol and opiates?
5. Why are you certain that it is the caregiver who is "dispensing" alcohol?
Basically you are down to the competency of the person in care.
This woman is addicted to opioids as well as alcohol. Call APS , they will determine if she’s competent to choose to live like this . Sometimes the bar is low though .