Caregiver Boundaries

Boundaries are guidelines, or limits, that a personal care attendant sets with the client regarding acceptable behaviors or tasks. It includes both the personal care attendant and the client understanding the expectations. Clear limits promote safe connections between caregivers and clients such as being with the client, not becoming the client; being friendly, not friends.

• The caregiver/client relationship should not include giving each other gifts or other services outside of the caregiving role.
• Self-Disclosure
  • PCAs should use caution when sharing personal information with the client. Some information may upset the client.
• Financial Boundaries
  • The PCA’s duties do not include financial responsibilities. To avoid misunderstandings, exactly who will pay and how needed items will be paid for should be clear from the beginning. If family clients are involved, they should buy food and other items the client needs. The PCA should report to the care manager if asked to budget, pay bills or similar tasks.

• Social Media and Confidentiality
  • Do not friend your clients or accept friend requests from your clients on Facebook.
  • You should never post pictures or videos of your client or their family clients.
  • Do not post negative comments or gossip about your
  • Do not post information about where your client lives, who their friends or relatives are or where they are.
  • Posting this kind of information is a serious violation of client
• Poor Boundaries and Crossing Boundaries
  • Relatives or friends should not drive you to the client’s The client’s address and phone number should not be given out to anyone. This violates the client’s privacy.
  • Relatives and friends should not deliver food to the client’s home or enter the client’s home.
  • Too much Touching should only occur during caregiving duties such as bathing and dressing.
  • Do not tell jokes that could be offensive, or make comments about a client’s race, ethnicity, religion, or politics. Caregivers’ opinions on religion, politics or sensitive subjects should be kept to themselves regardless of whether they agree or
  • Do not use profane or vulgar
  • Do not loan or borrow
    1. Use of client’s money, debit cards, credit cards, EBT cards without the client’s permission.
    2. If the client gives permission to use these items, the caregiver must obtain a receipt and give it to the client.
  • Romantic Relationships: A caregiver is never permitted to have a romantic or sexual relationship with a client.