As a live-in carer it is very important to be aware of just how much personal data we are privy to. In fact, you will normally have access to all the private details about your client and sometimes even to their financial records.
Certainly, it is the carer who will have all the information about medical conditions, which even a doctor would not pass on to another person.
As live-in carers we are bound by the Data Protection Act 1998 which informs us about the personal information you as live-in carer will have access to.
This legislation governs the protection of personal date in the UK and is something that we all should be familiar with. You can read further about it at:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/29/contents
The nitty gritty of this law is that as a carer there are certain things about your client that you need to keep confidential and private.
Think before you speak
You will sooner or later find yourself in a situation where you are asked some rather personal questions about your client. These may come from the well-meaning neighbour next door, the person in the corner shop or even the gardener.
‘How’s Mr Jones doing today, and does she have her test results back yet?’ Here’s a great example of just how easy it is to share that information.
While the neighbour may genuinely be concerned and have your client’s interests at heart, in truth it is none of her business.
An easy way to decide whether to answer the question is to imagine that you are Mrs Jones’ doctor. Would the doctor tell the neighbour all about your client’s issues? Definitely not. Neither would you be happy if your doctor mentioned your confidential issues with the owner of the corner shop.
Unless you have been authorised by either family or POA there are some things that you should not tell other people, no matter who they are.
Unfortunately, it is very easy to fall into the habit of simply replying to a question without thinking about the deeper implications.
How do we handle those questions?
It pays to be slightly vague when parting with information, rather than blatantly rudely telling someone to mind their own business.
Remember that it is not up to you to hand out any details of family members without their permission, and unless that neighbour has been expressly kept ‘in the loop’ by family you should consider them not privy to information.
What about personal records?
These should never be left lying around the house. This includes your own daily log where you record the daily activities of your client.
The cleaning lady, no matter how delightful she is, has no business reading what your client did yesterday. These are your records and should be always kept out of the way.
Neither do you need to inadvertently tell the gardener the results of those tests your client had done last month. People are inherently curious, and you will be surprised at how often you can be quoted from your very own notes!
What about extended family?
Not every family member may be in the circle of who to share information with. Until you are sure who in the family you should talk to and who does not need to know, you should keep your information to yourself.
Never share your thoughts and feelings with everyone on your first day – or even subsequent days until you know who you can include in the circle.
Remember that the next of kin may not be happy having mom’s bank statements bandied around with second cousins and their friends.
Final thoughts
It is a good idea as soon as you arrive at your placement that you have a chat with the next of kin, or POA. Find you who is privy to information and who is not.
You may be surprised at this, but you should stick to it. If some family members are excluded then it is not your business to impart information to them.
A good mantra here is when you are in doubt about what to tell someone, it is better to keep quiet rather than wish you had not opened your mouth.
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