OT: I can agree with some of what you said. If I keep her on (which, at this point - is the obvious decision based on Ryan's needs) - I intend to be very clear about boundaries. I have a government provided coordinator for Ryan's assistance who provides some care as needed (a couple of hours per day plus ongoing extra assistance as needed - for example - we currently have an RN in once a week to assess his pressure sores). She has dealt with numerous agencies and is the first to agree with me that this woman goes way beyond her limits in terms of crossing the line with EVERYONE. She and the agency she hired (who could not provide the care but subcontracted to the current agency) agree that none of them ever raises more than 5% in a year. I have had complaints from the Occupational Therapist, the Pharmacist, My Disabilities Specialist Vendor and several of the RNs who visit about her demands and inappropriate "crossing the line". She hounds them in a forceful manner and most have told me they will only deal with me. Not her.
In Niagara we paid an agency which raised their rates app 1% annually. This woman agreed to the same rate as that agency when we hired them. One month in they raised it 10%. Then we got hit with the 13% tax situation. She insists I can claim it back but it does not actually look as though I can (I am not working). To add the 13% it outrageous. She knows I struggled to pay it for the past year but now she figures I can afford it. Josh is concerned that even though she says we will not be taxed - no one can assure us of that - we could turn around and get hit with the taxes again.
So - with respect to a fair increase - no - I cannot agree with you. I feel this is a very unfair increase and not in line with what others charge. I feel that she is bullying as she has also made threats to pull out if I don't like it. That doesn't say much about their commitment to Ryan.
The reason the other agencies cannot meet our needs at present is not due to the demands of his care - it is due to their own lack of available staff and the fact we live in a rural area with less workers available. My number one concern is not having staff show up. And unfortunately - in that line of work - it is a frequent thing. One that this agency gets right. So - how do I put a price on that?
Josh has a masters in business. He is very familiar with this situation and is appalled by her actions and lack of negotiating skills. He has attended a couple of case conferences and everyone in the room gets their back up from her. She is a force to be reckoned with. Not good for any of us.
I might end up being happiest with a nanny who can provide some of the care and some of the care provided by a different agency. That way - if someone did not show - the nanny could step in and provide the backup care.
I'm still investigating all possibilities but for now - looks like I have to keep her. UGH UGH UGH.
