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What Are Caregivers Not Allowed to Do?

Published in Caregiver Prohibitions 3 mins read

Caregivers, particularly home health aides, are generally prohibited from performing medical-related procedures and engaging in financial matters on behalf of their clients. These restrictions are in place to ensure the safety, well-being, and legal protection of both the client and the caregiver.

Prohibited Medical Procedures for Caregivers

Caregivers are typically not authorized to perform tasks that fall under the scope of licensed medical professionals. Their role is primarily focused on assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), while reporting any changes in a client's condition to the appropriate medical personnel or family.

Tasks commonly restricted for non-medical caregivers include:

  • Administering Injections: This includes insulin shots or any other prescribed injectable medications.
  • Complex Wound Care: Changing elaborate dressings, treating open wounds, or managing conditions that require sterile techniques.
  • Diagnosing Illnesses or Conditions: Caregivers cannot assess or provide medical opinions on any symptoms or conditions observed.
  • Managing Medical Devices: Tasks such as inserting or removing catheters, colostomy bags, or other medical tubes.
  • Setting Up IVs or IV Medications: This is strictly a medical procedure.
  • Performing Therapeutic Procedures: This includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy exercises, unless specifically delegated by a licensed therapist under strict guidelines.
  • Adjusting or Administering Prescription Medications Without Oversight: While they can often remind clients to take medications, they cannot determine dosages, administer medications that require clinical judgment, or handle complex medication setups.

Restrictions on Financial Matters for Caregivers

To protect both the client and themselves from potential exploitation or misunderstanding, caregivers are generally not permitted to manage a client's finances or make financial decisions. This boundary is crucial for maintaining trust and preventing legal complications.

Prohibited financial activities include:

  • Handling Cash or Bank Accounts: Caregivers should not be given direct access to client bank accounts, credit cards, or large sums of personal cash for personal use or general bill payments.
  • Paying Bills or Managing Investments: They should not be responsible for paying household bills, managing investments, or interacting with financial institutions on behalf of the client.
  • Making Financial Decisions: Caregivers cannot make decisions regarding the client's money, property, or investments, such as purchasing items without explicit instruction or authority.
  • Acting as Power of Attorney: They cannot serve in a legal capacity that grants them control over a client's financial assets.

If assistance with financial tasks is needed, it should be handled by a trusted family member, a legal guardian, or a designated financial power of attorney, rather than the primary caregiver.

Summary of Caregiver Prohibitions

Area of Restriction Specific Prohibited Actions
Medical Tasks Administering injections, complex wound care, diagnosing illnesses, managing medical devices (e.g., catheters), administering medications beyond basic reminders.
Financial Matters Handling bank accounts, paying bills, making financial decisions, managing investments, acting as power of attorney.

Understanding these limitations is essential for ensuring that caregivers operate within their professional scope and clients receive appropriate, safe care.