I have a client who I knew from way back but she is constantly calling me and driving me nuts.?

Question: I am a home support worker. One of my clients is not much older than me and we grew up in the same small community. I help her once a week to clean her place because she has a hard time walking (she was hit by a car when she was a teen). She keeps getting depressed and so she constantly phones me to tell me what a terrible day she is having. She won't take any of my advice. Just sits in her apartment all day doing nothing except shaking and resting. Most of the time I don't answer her calls (caller ID) but then eventually I do and have to make up a story about where I was. But she is so depressing. What should I do or say without making her more depressed?

Answers:
This usually happens when friends or acquaintances get into a professional or service relationship - and boundaries are not established. Social Workers, Counsellors, Psychiatrist, Doctors, Lawyers, and other groups of professionals - while obtaining their educational and training are taught and learn - that it is not good ethical practise to offer or accept services from someone that you've had some type of personal relationship. Because boundaries get crossed - expectations change - inappropriate behaviours start - exactly like the ones that you are describing now.
I'm sure that you have a Supervisor of this agency - ask her/him how best to handle this situation. Maybe you can exchange with another service provider or you and another provider can take turns (one week you go - the next week she/he goes).
You need to take professional, appropriate, and careful actions to resolve the breakdown of this service provider/client relationship .
I have described it that way because that's what it is - that should have been maintained.
By your own admission - this service provider/client relationship has gone wrong. It truly was and is your responsibility to maintain that standard - because the individual that is seeking the service is vulnerable. Now you must help to correct this with care and help from your Supervisor.
Please don't ignore this and think that it will go away, get better, or maybe I can just ignore her calls. It's happened - resolve it professionally - because the person needing the service is the one in need - she' vulnerable - alone - feeling any number of emotions.
This situation is why it's advised - refer to some other person, agency, or whatever - if they is a former relationship!

Other Answers:
be a bit careful

people with depression are a bit hard to approach. however, you really should stop inventing stories about where you were and stuff. be honest with her.
tell her what you think. the secret is: tell the truth, but do not shout or anything. do not tell her you understand her, you sympathize and everything. be precise, sharp, and calm. do not shout. do not preach. do not talk much.

and another thing. suggest. if she wants to, she will listen . otherwise she will just sit there doing the same and there's not much you can do.

nutritional aid: flax seed oil. (careful that it does not taste like fish or something).


ps: i do not know if any of the above can help if she pays you. money deforms reality. if she does and you want to help her, first do not take money from her+ then do the rest.

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