Hey there, glad you’re back! Whether you’re here from my previous post, “Unexpected Meetings and Challenges in Domiciliary Care,” or you found me through a Google search, welcome!
In my last post, I talked about the importance of timekeeping and why it’s so crucial in domiciliary care. Today, I’m diving deeper into timekeeping and sharing a personal story about how being late almost caused a fire hazard.
Timekeeping and Punctuality
In my job as a domiciliary care worker, timekeeping is everything. It ensures that each client gets the care they need exactly when they need it. Being punctual means sticking to a schedule, providing reliable and consistent support, which is vital for clients who depend on us for their daily routines and medications.
For me, it’s not just about being professional—it’s about showing respect and care for those who trust me. It also ensures I have quality time with my family. Balancing my job and family life hinges on precise time management, allowing me to be fully present both at work and home.
How do you manage your schedule to make sure you’re always on time for your clients and family? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Fire Hazard Due to Being Late for My Visit
So, what actually happened that day?
As I mentioned before, I was in a staff meeting that started late. My manager wanted to discuss several things with me, but I warned her that I had to leave soon because my visits started at 2 PM. She said, “Don’t worry, it’s only four minutes away.” Yeah, well, it’s actually 10 minutes away, not counting traffic.
Fast forward. I was 10 minutes late for my first visit, 15 minutes late for my second visit (which I had to overstay due to the complexity of the care), and 25 minutes late for my third visit.
My third visit was with a lovely lady with dementia, and I was supposed to make supper for her. When I arrived, I called for her but got no answer. I went through the living room to check if she was in the kitchen and saw thick white smoke coming out. The smell was overpowering, and it was hard to breathe. I opened doors on both ends to let the smoke and smell out and then started investigating what happened and why the smoke detector didn’t go off.
I asked the lady what she was doing. Of course, she didn’t remember because of her dementia. She pointed at the sink and said, “Look at this” (showing me a rock-hard, burned sausage roll, which she tried to warm up in the microwave). “I don’t know who did it, but it’s not edible now.”
There was no point in arguing or explaining that she burned the sausage roll. If it had stayed in the microwave any longer, a fire could have easily started—all because I was 25 minutes late for that visit.
Why Timekeeping is So Important
Now you see why timekeeping is crucial not just at work but also in my personal life. It’s about being respected and trusted and preventing accidents that can lead to serious consequences.
I’m known for my punctuality and well-planned days, but nobody seems to understand why I take it so seriously. Trying to explain this to my colleagues and manager feels impossible. My manager often says, “Let it go. If you’re late for a visit, it’s okay as long as you arrive. As soon as you accept this, your life becomes much easier.”
I told her, “If your mind is set up this way, that’s fine, but don’t try to change my life to fit yours.”
Well, that’s it for now. Stay tuned for my next post, and thank you for reading this. It means a lot to me to be able to share my feelings.
Do you have any similar stories? Share them with us in the comments section below.
TTFN (Ta-ta for now)
