Anyone work in a group home caring for adults with disabilities?

[Zamber]

Hello ladies I was wondering: Do you or anyone you know work in a group home caring for adults with disabilities? I am searching for a new job, and I keep seeing this company advertising "Make a difference (or Have fun at work!) Encourage Adults w/Disabilities". I have done online searches to see what the environment would be like, but I have not found much in the ways of personal experiences. All I have discovered is sometimes these places have a high turnover rate. I understand I would be helping with choirs such as hygiene care, laundry, housework, and cooking. My ?'s:

1) From what I understand, there may possibly be some level of verbal/physical abuse from the patients. Has anyone experienced this? If so, how bad? Does your employer have some sort of support system in place to help you deal with such situations? Or is the verbal/physical abuse rare?

2) Do they make you vaccinate or take mandatory physicals?

3) What other concerns, issues, and resources should I look at to get a full picture of the work environment?

4) Is the amount of work steady? I need something that is full time year round.

Any advice/experiences for someone considering working in this field is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Tigerchild]

Hi, this caught my eye because this was my very first job out of college!

1) I never experienced this, but this will be highly dependent on the individual makeup of the home of course. I clicked with the first house I was placed, loved my guys, and still visited/kept in touch even after I left the company. IF there is good management (and that is a really big IF in my experience) they do try to place you where you'll have the most success. All of my guys tended to respond best to women, as far as compliance with hygiene reminders and other expectations. If anything, the only tense situations I had to mediate were between residents--there was one who really didn't get along with anyone and really liked goading them, and he was new, but once he got settled it was okay. He had been moved several times for the same problem. If you do have people that you are caring for who have a history of physical violence, that should be disclosed and you should be offered training--but honestly, you're going to have to be proactive in asking. I'm not sure what you mean by "verbal abuse" though. If you're working with adults with developmental disabilities who are dependent on state-contracted homes, it's likely that a lot of these folks don't and haven't had very many people to love them, the older ones probably were institutionalized until the 80s/90s, ect. (there are some exceptions to that) So their social skills may or may not be what you're used to. They may yell if they're frustrated, or throw tantrums. They may be loud in general. They may be verbally uncooperative. To me, that's not really abuse in that context, and part of your job will be to help them with that if possible.

2) I don't know about mandatory vaxing, but if you have not had the Hep B series you might really want to think about it for yourself, especially if you have a carrier in your group. You will be required to have a TB test (or you were when I managed a group home/was a habilitation counselor). I remember having to get a physical at the beginning of my employment, which really was just the doctor signing off that yes, I said I could do the lifting/ect. required for the job.

3) IME, your agency is the biggest thing that most people don't look at. Some are horrifically crappy. You don't want to be put in a situation where it feels like not only are you fighting the system to get good care for your folks, but also your agency. I would ask to meet with the caseworker/manager responsible for me and get a read on them. A good one will help you out immensely--a bad one will make your life (and possibly your residents, who it's likely you will come to love, lives) hell. Ask up front about policies in regards to client violence.

4) The amount of work is very steady. Not only will you have your hours (and possibly occasionally or a lot of mandatory overtime), but if you find you enjoy this and want to do subbing you'll have all the work you want and then some. However, just to warn you--the reason why this is a high turnover job is because the pay (at least for "not-for-profit" agencies) is abysmal. We are talking a few cents to maybe a dollar over minimum wage--for a very rewarding but intense at times job. Most of my co-workers were college students or had 2nd jobs, it wasn't exactly a living wage. And again, if you had a crappy manager or a crappy agency, that can also lead to extremely high turnover.

So...to make a long wordy post short...

I don't have any regrets about having this job. I loved my guys. I did have a lot of fun with them! It was a pretty good job for a first-real-job, it certainly taught me how to be assertive with management, I had a lot of autonomy which was nice, I got access to a lot of free and fun and informative training with other community groups also working with developmentally disabled adults. However, I wasn't getting paid enough for how hard I worked, and it can be a little like teaching--I sunk a lot of my own money into it, more than I should have.

However, realistically--I'm not sure I would do this job now, as a parent. It paid crap (again, perhaps times have changed--I have my doubts though). It was long hours, with a lot of forced overtime if someone was late for their shift or couldn't come in (you are legally mandated, or you were in MN, to stay--you can't just leave your residents with no supervision, and sometimes management was...less than punctual at getting subs to you). I might consider doing it as a sub though. And of course, agency to agency is going to be different.

I would reserve judgement until you've gotten an interview, ask to see where you'll be working, ect. You'll know more when you see it with your eyes--and it's very highly variant on the people you'll be working with, clients and management.

[Zamber]

Originally Posted by Tigerchild

I'm not sure what you mean by "verbal abuse" though. If you're working with adults with developmental disabilities who are dependent on state-contracted homes, it's likely that a lot of these folks don't and haven't had very many people to love them, the older ones probably were institutionalized until the 80s/90s, ect. (there are some exceptions to that) So their social skills may or may not be what you're used to. They may yell if they're frustrated, or throw tantrums. They may be loud in general. They may be verbally uncooperative. To me, that's not really abuse in that context, and part of your job will be to help them with that if possible.

What I mean by verbal abuse is excessive screaming/ yelling/ cussing/etc. to the point that it makes it extremely difficult to care for the patient. More importantly, I worry about not having the tools/training to handle such situations. What you described (yell their frustrations, throw tantrums, etc.) I fully expect and fully understand.

Originally Posted by Tigerchild

I don't know about mandatory vaxing, but if you have not had the Hep B series you might really want to think about it for yourself, especially if you have a carrier in your group. You will be required to have a TB test (or you were when I managed a group home/was a habilitation counselor). I remember having to get a physical at the beginning of my employment, which really was just the doctor signing off that yes, I said I could do the lifting/etc. required for the job.

I am not at all crazy about a possible Hep B vax or the TB test (which is just like a vaccine), but I will refresh my memory on my research (I think I have some information on titers and a possible alternative to the standard TB test….I’ll have to do some digging though. I hope it wasn’t lost when my old laptop took a dump on me). What I won’t be willing to do is the regular or H1N1 flu vax (and we haven’t given our son any vaccines, and don’t plan to). Worse case scenario, I might consider a vax for myself only if it is the only thing standing between me and a job I would otherwise enjoy (I like being physically active and helping others). But again, I’ll have to research and think about what I would be willing to compromise on.

Originally Posted by Tigerchild

IME, your agency is the biggest thing that most people don't look at. Some are horrifically crappy. You don't want to be put in a situation where it feels like not only are you fighting the system to get good care for your folks, but also your agency. I would ask to meet with the caseworker/manager responsible for me and get a read on them. A good one will help you out immensely--a bad one will make your life (and possibly your residents, who it's likely you will come to love, lives) hell. Ask up front about policies in regards to client violence.

Good to know! Will keep my eyes and ears peeled (and ask a lot of questions!).

Originally Posted by Tigerchild

The amount of work is very steady. Not only will you have your hours (and possibly occasionally or a lot of mandatory overtime), but if you find you enjoy this and want to do subbing you'll have all the work you want and then some. However, just to warn you--the reason why this is a high turnover job is because the pay (at least for "not-for-profit" agencies) is abysmal. We are talking a few cents to maybe a dollar over minimum wage--for a very rewarding but intense at times job. Most of my co-workers were college students or had 2nd jobs, it wasn't exactly a living wage. And again, if you had a crappy manager or a crappy agency, that can also lead to extremely high turnover.

Originally Posted by Tigerchild

However, realistically--I'm not sure I would do this job now, as a parent. It paid crap (again, perhaps times have changed--I have my doubts though). It was long hours, with a lot of forced overtime if someone was late for their shift or couldn't come in (you are legally mandated, or you were in MN, to stay--you can't just leave your residents with no supervision, and sometimes management was...less than punctual at getting subs to you). I might consider doing it as a sub though. And of course, agency to agency is going to be different .

They start you at $8.25-$8.48 depending on experience. So assuming they start me at $8.25, I would be taking a $1.00 pay cut from my current job. I expect starting over at any new job/company would mean a pay cut anyways (which I’m not going to lie, it will hurt), but if the hours are there I believe we can manage (now if it is extremely difficult to ever get a raise, then that might cause a strain long term). Currently I am the bread winner, as my husband is going to school and taking care of our son while I am at work. As for covering shifts for others, I do that quite a bit at my current job. It seems like I am the only one who can ever cover shifts sometimes. The only time it would be a problem is during the times I need to be home watching my son while my husband is in school a couple days a week during the day (he has in the past missed school so I can go to work, but I would rather he didn’t). I am also used to working doubles, closing and opening the next morning with less than 8 hours between shifts, etc. So the long all-over-the-place hours I am already doing. Of course, it’s difficult not seeing my son as much as I want (or worse, being home but too tired to play with him). I really look forward to the day my husband graduates and lands a job. Until then, I have to do whatever it takes to keep a roof over our heads.


Thank-you Tigerchild for your thoughts/experiences!!!!! You have given me some things to consider/think about.

[CarrieMF]

My neighbor worked in a group home like that for a while. In her home there was verbal abuse(the swearing, etc) a few times a week. There was the possibility of physical but it never happened. A few of the residents were runners so they couldn't let them get too far away.

There will be people who need diaper changing, who play with their excrements, etc. There will be people who cannot communicate very well or at all.

My neighbor did the overnight shift for a while becuase it pays more.

I currently work with a boy who will end up in a group home for disabilities. He is 8, at a 13month old level & keeps backsliding on his "abilities". He is severely autistic, does not speak, is hit & miss with his pec system. He plays with his feces every morning, sort of runs but not really. He eats everything he thinks is food except fruits & veggies. He's also epileptic. He has bitten a Sub & pinched me several times in frustration. He CANNOT be left alone, ever. We need to stay within 2-3 feet of him at all times.

the turnover in these types of jobs is also high becuase it is mentally exhausting. I get paid $14/hour. If I was in a different school division or had my TA certificate it's be $16/hour. I work with him for 4hours a day, another TA takes over in the afternoons. I leave drained every day & there's only 1 of them.

[Zamber]

Ah yes, poop . I used to muck out horse stalls (LOVED that job, but stall cleaning is a morning job, and I need something at night), clean out dog crates after dogs had pooped all over it (and in turn, got it all over their freshly groomed selves - ick), and my special needs child went thru that whole poop smearing phase. So, while poop is not fun, I do have some experience cleaning it up.

As for it being mentally exausting, I can believe it. That why I was curious if there where any support systems in place for care workers? Or do you generally need to set something up for yourself? How can I prevent burnout?

[doubledutch]

i did this about 10 years ago when i was in college. i did it for a couple of years and really liked it, loved a lot of things about it, and at times it was also really difficult, emotionally and phsyically. i don't get grossed out by poop or anything, but if you do, it might be gross, depending on the setting.

1. yes - i didn't experience physical aggression or direct threats of physical aggression, but i did experience violence against others (like among residents), indirect threats (like menacing body language), yelling, crying jags, threats of self-harm and suicide, and lots of attention-seeking behavior. we were trained in how to respond - it was basically all scripted out, because that stuff just happens over and over and it's the same every time. sometimes it was stressful but it didn't make me feel afraid or make me feel bad about myself because it's about the person who is acting out, not about their target. i think the training probably varies by employer, and if you're not well-prepared or their systems for protecting people from physical harm aren't very good, then i could see how it could be ugly. however, some places i worked (because i worked for one company but in many settings - like five, i think) there really wasn't any aggression at all.

2. iirc they required that i be checked for tb and i think maybe i did have a physical but it was just with a nurse - maybe their nurse? so i didn't have to pay for it . . . i don't really remember.

3. i would look for a company that places high value on employee training. the culture of the company i worked for placed a very high level of accountability on the people running the house and the people running the business - that is, if an employee made a mistake or a poor choice, their supervisor would feel responsible for not having counselled them better on how to handle that situation, rather than placing full blame on the employee.

4. yes! like you said, there can be high turn-over. even in people who love it, they can burn out. the work is steady and you can usually pick up extra shifts too, in my experience.

[CarrieMF]

Ah yes, poop . I used to muck out horse stalls (LOVED that job, but stall cleaning is a morning job, and I need something at night), clean out dog crates after dogs had pooped all over it (and in turn, got it all over their freshly groomed selves - ick), and my special needs child went thru that whole poop smearing phase. So, while poop is not fun, I do have some experience cleaning it up.

What bothers me about feces is everything you can get from it & from it not being cleaned properly. The kid I work with the mother can't be bothered to a) get to his dirty diaper before he does even though she gets up 2 hours before he does and b) clean him before he comes to school. It's also different if it's not your own kid/family you're cleaning up after.

[Zamber]

Originally Posted by doubledutch

1. yes - i didn't experience physical aggression or direct threats of physical aggression, but i did experience violence against others (like among residents), indirect threats (like menacing body language), yelling, crying jags, threats of self-harm and suicide, and lots of attention-seeking behavior. we were trained in how to respond - it was basically all scripted out, because that stuff just happens over and over and it's the same every time. sometimes it was stressful but it didn't make me feel afraid or make me feel bad about myself because it's about the person who is acting out, not about their target. i think the training probably varies by employer, and if you're not well-prepared or their systems for protecting people from physical harm aren't very good, then i could see how it could be ugly. however, some places i worked (because i worked for one company but in many settings - like five, i think) there really wasn't any aggression at all.

Originally Posted by doubledutch

i would look for a company that places high value on employee training. the culture of the company i worked for placed a very high level of accountability on the people running the house and the people running the business - that is, if an employee made a mistake or a poor choice, their supervisor would feel responsible for not having counselled them better on how to handle that situation, rather than placing full blame on the employee.

So it sounds to me like my success in such a job would largely depend on the company and how well they train/prepare the employees. I have done searches on the company - I have not found anything negative about them yet (I'll keep digging though). I did see that they have an open-book management style (where everyone in the company can see where the money goes), which according to the article helped drop employee turnover from 100% to 50% (which I would imagine would improve care for the patients). I definately have lots of questions to take to an interview!

Originally Posted by doubledutch

like you said, there can be high turn-over. even in people who love it, they can burn out. the work is steady and you can usually pick up extra shifts too, in my experience.

Steady full time work is a definate need to have. All of the other jobs available at the moment are part time. I just can't afford to take long working my way up to full time (especially when they all seem to want open availability, thus hurting my chances of picking up a second job to make up the difference). Also, I am looking for something that is hiring immediately (or at least really soon). I don't want to prolong my job hunt much longer - things are going downhill fast at my current job. I did consider working at a call center, but every time I thought about it I had a mini anxiety attack. The last thing I want to be doing is sitting around on the phone all day, everyday. I think that is why I am really giving some thought into doing group home care - I like doing physical jobs and interacting one on one with others. I am under no illusions that this is going to be super fun job, which is why I didn't jump on the "Have Fun at Work" bandwagon and apply immediately, and instead sought out all of your valued experiences/opinions .

[Zamber]

Originally Posted by CarrieMF

The kid I work with the mother can't be bothered to a) get to his dirty diaper before he does even though she gets up 2 hours before he does and b) clean him before he comes to school.

That is really sad. I can understand being burned out by that situation.


Thank you ladies for all of the responses so far - it has been a huge help!

[34me]

I was a QMRP and ran a day program for adults with dd for years. I recognize the ad (I think ). Like pp posters have said, the agency/ company makes all the difference. The one I worked at was one of the few publically held companies and they also run Job Corp centers all over the country. They had very good training in how to deal with tough situations. I won't lie though, i have actual scars. I was stabbed between the eyes once and have a couple other lovely scars. The company I worked for required both a TB test ( all congregate care situations will - it's a health code regulation) and a heb b series. But with the heb b series we did have 2 carriers. It can be a lot of fun if you get a fun group of residents and I've had a lot of great experiences.

[Caneel]

I have a friend whose job was similar to what CarrieMF describes. She seemed to enjoy it, the boy aged out of the program and moved to a group home. There was a lot of body fluid stuff to deal with but she didn't seem too bothered by it. My friend, bless her, operated under the attitude that someone has to help those that need it, might as well be her.

The adult group homes in my area run want ads every single day so turnover must be high.

I personally know someone who has an adult child in a home and they are happy (as they can be) with the management so I agree, management of the company is key.

[dealic]

I have worked in group homes with adults with special needs for 5 years or so now. I am in Canada so a lot of this may be different but I didn't have any mandatory tests or vaxes although I did work in one house that advised having your teeters checked for HepB as 2 people living there had it. They also strongly advised the H1N1 this past year, but I very vocally explained how I was not going to take it and no one cared.

I get paid over $20 an hour although I have pretty much topped out my pay grade. I think starting in our company is around $16. I have a great benefits plan, better than anyone I know (again, its Canada so this doesn't cover as much as an American one would as we have universal health care for the basics). I have pretty good retirement benefits: they match my contributions up to 5% to my RRSP. I get 3 weeks vacation, going up to 4 in 2011 and can comp time up to a week at a time to increase that.

I have worked with many different people over the years with various needs, and across a variety of companies and they are right, the company really makes the difference. My current company offers amazing support when we need it. They have a "hands off" policy so we almost never do restraints or use physical control. I think it was less than 5 times agency wide last year and we support around 1000 people. Because of that, and their focus on respecting the people and helping them to make their own choices, we have much less conflict than before because people aren't being made to do things they don't like all the time.

I have had people be physical towards me. It really depends on the group of people you work with if you will have this. Honestly, most times its pretty non threatening even when it does happen. Someone with bad aim throwing his pj's at me and missing, someone trying to hit my arm but he moves so slowly I saw it coming and stopped it. I know it can be worse, and I have coworkers who have had worse at previous jobs but I haven't had that experience. I find I am more likely to be injured working with people who have more physical needs and require lifting and changing. THAT is hard on my back!

I like my job most of the time, and what I don't like usually relates to management or coworkers rather than the people I support. I think the high turnover rate has a lot to do with people being shocked and overwhelmed. Its VERY different from what most people are used to. You need a different skill set: being able to understand people who don't speak clearly or at all, who may use signs which may or may not look like ones you know. People who look, move and behave in ways that you aren't used to. Adults who need help bathing, dressing, using the washroom and eating. Who may require diaper changes. Handling medications, maybe g tubes, maybe giving suppositories, maybe suctioning machines, oxygen or other medical equipment, and the list goes on. Usually people seem to last much less than a year (sometimes not even one shift), or are around forever.

[doubledutch]

Originally Posted by Zamber

I am under no illusions that this is going to be super fun job, which is why I didn't jump on the "Have Fun at Work" bandwagon and apply immediately, and instead sought out all of your valued experiences/opinions .

actually, it can be!

[Zamber]

Well, I found the alternative to the traditional TB skin test that I was thinking about:

http://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/f...esting/QFT.htm

I'll see if that is the test they offer, and if not, if I can get it done myself and submit my test results to them. I'll also see if they accept proof of immunity to Heb B (either thru titers or proof I got the series).

I'll also look around and see where I can get my titers checked (I have never done that before, so it will be learning experience). If I don't have an immunity to Heb B (I did have the vax as a child, so I'm hoping there is an immunity still ) , I will consider getting the thermisol/mercury free version: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4835a3.htm . (which still is not ideal, but at least an improvement) and see what I can do to support my heath when taking the vax. I imagine this would take a week or two to accomplish, so I'll get it done in advance (that way I am not scrambling around and making a last minute decision that I would regret later (like "BTW, you have to get this done TODAY if you want the job, etc.").

doubledutch - I sure do hope there is a healthy dose of fun mixed in .

34me - Ouch, I am glad the fork missed your eyes! But it sounds like overall the job was still a good experience for you.

dealic - Wow, I wish we had that kind of pay and benefits for care workers over here in the states! Unfortunately, from what I understand we have a ways to go yet. Someone did try to pave the way for care workers here in the states to get overtime pay, but the courts ruled against her (google the Evelyn Coke case). I do admit I have no experience with a g-tube, adult diaper changing, working with mentally handicap adults, etc. I want to make sure I fully realize what I am getting into if I commit to this type of job for the next couple of years.

Caneel - Your friends belief is a wonderful attitude to adopt.

Thank you so much ladies!!!!! I am forcing myself to not make a final decision for a few days. I want to research and sleep on it some more, because my decision does not just concern me - it also has an effect on my son and husband. I will keep you all posted. In the meantime, please feel free to add to this thread!

[dealic]

Originally Posted by Zamber

dealic - Wow, I wish we had that kind of pay and benefits for care workers over here in the states! Unfortunately, from what I understand we have a ways to go yet. Someone did try to pave the way for care workers here in the states to get overtime pay, but the courts ruled against her (google the Evelyn Coke case). I do admit I have no experience with a g-tube, adult diaper changing, working with mentally handicap adults, etc. I want to make sure I fully realize what I am getting into if I commit to this type of job for the next couple of years.

I didn't have experience with any of it prior to when I started. Its not important that you do. Just be prepared for a culture shock if you haven't spent time around people with various special needs. Even now, I have coworkers who have worked in the field for many years and when they often get transferred to a new house they experience it anew with new people, as they encounter things they hadn't before. Many in the field have never worked with G tubes for example, because they work in houses where people don't have them.

In Canada, it takes special schooling to be hired for the job (2 years community college program usually but I have a 4 year psychology degree) and as I understand it, its different in the states, which may account for the difference in pay and benefits. I am interested to know what kind of related job my degree could get me there as its a possibility we will move down in the future, but I find it the most difficult thing to research.

Good luck! It is a fun job, and I have had great experiences there. I have made a real difference in people's lives and have had a chance to do cool things I otherwise wouldn't (trips, events, clubs, and activities I didn't even know about). I like the people I work with mostly and love that every day is an opportunity to do something fun.

[earthmama369]

Originally Posted by dealic

In Canada, it takes special schooling to be hired for the job (2 years community college program usually but I have a 4 year psychology degree) and as I understand it, its different in the states, which may account for the difference in pay and benefits.

Yeah, in the states you can get hired with a high school diploma and no job experience. It's pretty scary, actually.

Most companies will provide CPR and first aid training, safe restraint and some kind of conflict resolution training (or at least their guidelines for what you are allowed and not allowed to do to handle a situation), and may require that you become med certified (the "pass and pour" test). You'll have to renew these certifications on a regular basis, generally yearly. Most companies do not offer counseling on how to cope with verbal/physical abuse, resident hospitalization and death, etc. Many also keep most of their staff on part-time schedules, so while it can be a physically demanding job with a fairly high risk of back injury from lifting clients, there's no health insurance. You may be on your own there.

So much has already been covered. I just wanted to add that having a sense of humor and compassion is essential on your side -- for your own sanity and for the sake of your residents -- and being reliable is essential for the company you work for. If your kids get sick (for example) and you have to bail on your shift at the last minute, then whoever's on shift waiting for you has to stay there until -- if -- other arrangements can be made. It happens to everyone once in a while, but if you already know your schedule tends to shift like that somewhat often, this kind of job can be a poor fit. Many people with families work in group homes, but it can feel like you're balancing two families rather than going to work and then going home. Like teaching, it's one of those jobs that requires an emotional commitment at some level to really do it right.

I loved my guys, and I still keep in touch with several of them. My sister and mother still work in the field, and dh used to, as well. It's challenging, and sometimes heartbreaking, but if you're with a good company, it can be a great job for as long as you have the heart for it.

[dealic]

Ahh, yes I forgot about that. People calling in sick is always a stressful moment as we try to cover the shift so we can leave. It often means someone is staying (or coming in) for a shift they don't really want.