Three Ways To Help Your Loved One Transition To An In-Home Caregiver
For most people, their home is their castle and a place of safety. For this reason, they aren't typically excited about bringing someone new into their home whom they didn't personally invite. In-home care professionals generally fall into this category. Despite the strong feelings of resentment that may occur on the part of your loved one, you can work through this.
Skip Surprises
It doesn't matter how desperately your loved one is in need of extra care, it's never a good idea to simply show up with a caregiver. This can make an individual feel voiceless and feel as though you are stripping away their independence.
Even if you are confident about the decision to bring in assistance, it's best to at least have a conversation with your loved one first so that they feel like they play an active part. You might be able to ease some of their fears right away, which will only make the process easier.
Find Out Their Needs
If your loved one is still somewhat independent, it's best to ask them what their needs exactly are. Say you hire a caregiver that will only come into their home to assist with medication and to take them to their appointments, for instance. However, they would much rather have someone to help them with their medication and assist with light cleanup.
In this case, the caregiver won't be meeting their true need. Your loved one is likely to be more receptive of the caregiver if they are there to meet a need they want fulfilled.
Arrange A Meeting
Don't let a private interview between yourself and the caregiver be your only determinant when making a selection. It's best to schedule a meeting with your loved one for all the candidates that you are seriously considering.
The meeting can be informal, but it's important because it provides an opportunity for your loved one to see if the caregiver is someone whom they will be comfortable with, which is very important. If your loved one doesn't feel comfortable with any individual, make sure you respect their feelings. You can even assist your loved one with preparing important questions they want to ask.
When you are away, the caregiver you hire will play the most important role in your loved one's care. You don't just want to choose someone who is qualified to meet this need, but also someone whom your loved one will be comfortable with. For more information, contact a care center like Cornerstone Hospice and Palliative Care.