Why I'm Done with Pomogu.ru

I've been burned by Pomogu.ru's services for the past two years - a live-in caregiver and a backup caregiver while the first one was on vacation. It's not my style to spread negativity, but getting taken advantage of in a sensitive situation like elderly care is getting old.

I turned to Pomogu.ru after seven years of dealing with private caregivers - some of whom stole from me, yelled at my elderly relative, or drank on the job. Pomogu.ru positioned itself as a unique agency from the start, and it was - at first. I trusted them because it was a service from a talented Sidnev, with a vision for 'homes for the elderly' that had a human face. They offered a supposedly transparent hiring process and, most importantly, control, which we desperately needed in the chaos that still reigns on the market.

I believed them - and that was a mistake. The bitter pill to swallow was the obvious overpayment and growing dissatisfaction. I have to admit, though, that I agree with the previously mentioned positives - they dressed the girls up, styled their hair, taught them to speak on camera, and maybe even taught them something. During the hiring process, the agency's politeness and attention to detail were top-notch, which, unfortunately, greatly impressed my elderly relative, who's already been worn out from navigating these issues on their own.

The agency's interested at the start and at the end, whether the client is satisfied. They do hire replacements when needed. Yes, they've implemented some useful technologies - but the quality of their execution doesn't match the price tag or their claims. The cons are that they hire just like I did, from the street, with no professionalism, simply someone better or worse...they hire without checking the details, not delving into the original client's questionnaire. I informed the agency that the caregiver smoked (and I needed someone who didn't), that the caregiver planned to leave for a second job (and I needed live-in care), but the agency didn't know this about the caregivers.

The agency's control or formal reports don't exist - the caregivers, when you live with them and communicate with them for a long time, demonstrate...there's no culture of living with the client. Phone calls discuss previous clients, the agency itself, and even the current caregiver and client's employer, in the client's own home and on their own money...if the caregiver does something inadmissible, they take 'feedback' from me and thank me politely, but no one gets punished, and I'm left to deal with the situation alone, with the agency not reacting and not refunding my money. In my case, the caregiver concealed her illness and strong cough, didn't wear a mask, and infected my 90-year-old client with pneumonia...

Pomogu.ru's payment for the caregiver's hard work might be economically justified, but it's completely detached from reality - their candidates just aren't worth the money. For 90,000 rubles a month, I shouldn't have to worry about the caregiver's responsibilities and get the candidate I need, not just someone who's been in their database for a long time. Plus, the conversation starts with one price, but ends with a completely different one, with increasing costs.

The worst part is that everything else is even worse, so I'm forced to return to Pomogu.ru and deal with their shortcomings for my own money. In short, I was ahead, but in the end, I fell behind...I won't be renewing the contract. It's sad, but I think it's time to move on.