4-Attachment 6 - ESP Code of Ethics 2026.pdf

October 1, 2026

ELDERLY SERVICES PROGRAM - CODE OF ETHICS

The service worker will treat all client/clients in a considerate and respectful manner. The service worker will not:

A. Use the client’s personal property without the client’s consent including telephone for personal calls.

B. Consume the client’s food and beverages.

C. Eat food brought to the client’s home without client’s consent.

D. Forge client’s signature or falsify documentation.

E. Bring friends, relatives, pets or any unauthorized individual to the client’s home.

F. Transport client away from home (unless authorized) or take the client to the provider’s place of residence.

G. Breach client’s privacy or divulge client information.

H. Consume alcoholic beverages, medicine, drugs, or other chemical substances not in accordance with the legal, valid, prescribed use and/or in any way that impairs the provider in the delivery of services to the client while in the client’s home or prior to service delivery.

I. Smoke in the client’s home.

J. Watch television or play computer or video games, including on the client’s phone or personal phone.

K. Steal, borrow, accept, obtain or attempt to obtain money or anything of value, including gifts or tips from the client, household members and family members of the client or caregiver.

L. Discuss personal problems, religious or political beliefs with the client and others in the care setting.

M. Engage in non-care related socialization with individuals other than the client(e.g. a visit from a person who is not providing care to the individual;

making or receiving a personal telephone call; or sending or receiving a personal text message, email, or video).

N. Provide care to individuals other than the client.

O. Sleep at the client’s residence.

October 1, 2026

P. Engage in sexual conduct or in conduct that may reasonably be interpreted as sexual in nature, regardless of whether or not the contact is consensual with the client.

Q. Engage in behavior that may reasonably be interpreted as inappropriate involvement in the client’s personal relationships.

R. Engage in behavior that causes or may cause physical, verbal, mental or emotional distress or abuse to the client including any manner of publishing photos of the client on social media websites without the client’s written consent.

S. Be designated to make decisions for the client in any capacity involving a declaration for mental health treatment, power of attorney, durable power of attorney, or guardianship, or authorized representative.

T. Sell or purchase from the client products or personal items. The only exception to this prohibition occurs when the client is a family member and the provider is not delivering services.

U. Engage in behavior that constitutes a conflict of interest or takes advantage of or manipulates services contracted by COA, resulting in an unintended advantage for personal gain that has detrimental results for the client, the client’s family or caregivers, or another provider.

V. Leave the home for a purpose not related to the provision of services without notifying the agency supervisor, the client’s emergency contact person, any identified caregiver, and/or the client’s care manager, or, for client-directed service providers, leave the home without the consent and/or knowledge of the client.

W. Extend the relationship with the client beyond the specific service boundaries that have been established by the applicable service specification(s).

X. Engage in a disagreement with the client but will, instead, seek to improve communication and express willingness to work together constructively. In the event of a disagreement the Care Manager is to be contacted immediately. The definition of disagreement is a failure or refusal to agree which may escalate into a conflict or quarrel.

Y. Deny service to a client due to the client’s living conditions including pest, health, behavior or language. COA does make the distinction between behavior and language that are the result of a condition verses someone who consistently displays inappropriate, intolerable behavior/language or threatening behavior/language. Providers must comply with OSHA standards and the Fair Labor Standards Act for employees. Inappropriate behavior does include inappropriate touching. Language as referenced in section Y does not refer to languages that are not English.