The Importance of Caregivers Respecting Client Privacy: Why Recording or Posting About Clients on Social Media Is Unacceptable

Your Caregivers cannot be on their phones at work.

Caregivers play an invaluable role in society, providing essential support to individuals who may be elderly, disabled, or otherwise vulnerable. These professionals are entrusted with

physical and emotional well-being, a responsibility that hinges on trust, dignity, and respect. However, the rise of social media has introduced new ethical challenges in the caregiving profession, particularly when caregivers misuse these platforms to record or post about their clients. A recent, shocking case in Georgia—where a healthcare worker was arrested for twerking on a disabled client and sharing the video on TikTok—serves as a stark reminder of why such behavior is not only inappropriate but also harmful and illegal.

The Trust Between Caregivers and Clients

At the heart of caregiving is a relationship built on trust. Clients, many of whom rely on caregivers for their most basic needs, expect to be treated with compassion and professionalism. When a caregiver records a client—whether for amusement, clout, or any other reason—that trust is shattered. The act of filming or photographing someone in a vulnerable state without their consent violates their autonomy and exposes them to public scrutiny, stripping away their dignity. For individuals with disabilities or cognitive impairments, who may not even be able to consent or object, this breach is even more egregious.

The Georgia case exemplifies this betrayal. Lucrecia Kormassa Koiyan, a 19-year-old healthcare worker, filmed herself twerking on a disabled client and posted the video online, reportedly to gain attention on TikTok. In another disturbing clip, she danced provocatively over a shirtless disabled man in a bathtub, even administering a pill while recording. These actions didn’t just cross ethical lines—they led to her arrest on felony charges of exploiting a disabled person. Her behavior highlights how quickly a caregiver’s misuse of social media can escalate from a thoughtless act to a criminal offense.

The Harm to Clients

Recording or posting about clients on social media doesn’t just undermine trust—it can cause real harm. Clients may feel humiliated, objectified, or unsafe if they discover they’ve been filmed or discussed online. Those with cognitive impairments, like the victims in the Georgia case, may not even understand what’s happening, making the violation all the more insidious. Public exposure of private moments—whether it’s a video of a client in a compromising position or a post detailing their struggles—can lead to emotional distress, social stigma, and even long-term trauma for both the client and their family.

Beyond the individual impact, such actions perpetuate a culture of disrespect toward vulnerable populations. When caregivers treat their clients as props for entertainment, as Koiyan did, it reinforces harmful stereotypes and dehumanizes those who deserve care and compassion. The viral nature of social media amplifies this damage, turning a single act of misconduct into a spectacle that can reach thousands, if not millions, of viewers.

Legal and Professional Consequences

The legal ramifications of recording clients and sharing that content online are severe, as demonstrated by Koiyan’s arrest. In many jurisdictions, such behavior constitutes exploitation, abuse, or a violation of privacy laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, which protects patients’ medical information and privacy. Caregivers who breach these laws can face criminal charges, fines, and jail time, not to mention the loss of their professional licenses and livelihoods.

Koiyan’s case is a cautionary tale. Charged with felony exploitation of a disabled person, she now faces the consequences of her actions, which could include a permanent criminal record and a ban from working in healthcare. Her smirking mugshot and initial defense on social media—claiming “it’s not what it is”—only underscore a lack of accountability that further erodes public trust in caregivers. For every caregiver tempted to post about a client, this incident should serve as a wake-up call: the risks far outweigh any fleeting social media fame.

Protecting Dignity and Professional Standards

Caregiving is a profession rooted in ethical principles, including respect for dignity, confidentiality, and the well-being of clients. Recording or posting about clients violates these standards and undermines the integrity of the entire field. Agencies and facilities must enforce strict policies against such behavior, ensuring caregivers understand that personal phones and social media have no place in client interactions unless explicitly authorized for professional purposes (e.g., documenting care with consent).

Training is also critical. Caregivers need to be educated about the ethical and legal boundaries of their role, including the importance of maintaining privacy in the digital age. Many may not fully grasp the implications of a “harmless” post or video, but ignorance is no excuse when the stakes involve vulnerable individuals. The Georgia incident wasn’t an isolated lapse in judgment—it was a deliberate act of exploitation that could have been prevented with proper oversight and awareness.

A Call for Accountability

The case of the caregiver twerking on her client is a disturbing example of what can go wrong when boundaries are ignored. It’s a reminder that caregivers hold a position of power over their clients, and with that power comes a duty to protect, not exploit. Families entrust caregivers with their loved ones expecting professionalism, not public humiliation. Society, too, relies on caregivers to uphold the dignity of those who cannot advocate for themselves.

To prevent future incidents, caregivers must commit to leaving social media out of their work. No video, photo, or post is worth compromising a client’s privacy or well-being. Agencies should reinforce this with clear policies, regular training, and swift disciplinary action for violations. Meanwhile, clients and families can advocate for their rights by asking about social media policies when selecting care providers and reporting any suspicious behavior immediately.

In a world where social media tempts us to share every moment, caregivers must resist that urge when it comes to their clients. The lesson from Georgia is clear: respect and professionalism must always come first. Anything less isn’t just a betrayal of trust—it’s a failure of care.