Hired Home Care Service? 5 Tips To Make The Entire Process A Success

If you've been taking care of an aging loved one and can no longer provide this same level of care to them, you need to consider home care services. This is where a caregiver will come into the home and provide care, based on a treatment plan, for your loved one. This can be hard transition, but it can be made easier by following these five steps:

1. Develop a Transition Binder.

Before the caregiver comes to your house for the first day, consider creating a binder that has your elderly loved one's daily activities in it. You should also list some of their likes and dislikes, concerns, hobbies and food preferences. This will help the caregiver learn about your loved one before providing care, which can quickly and effectively help them provide adequate assistance.

2. Offer Valuable Feedback.

Although the caregiver has been hired to take care of your loved one, it doesn't mean that you can't make sure that they are taking good care of them. If your loved one expresses some concerns to you or you notice something that you aren't comfortable with, talk to the caregiver about it. Provide them with feedback – both good and bad – so that they are able to provide the most appropriate care.

3. Allow a Period of Transition.

As with anything, it takes time to adjust to something new. Having a caregiver in the home is going to be something new to your loved one and you. The caregiver is also adjusting because they are taking care of a new patient. Make sure you give the caregiver time to learn the ins and outs of taking care of your loved one and to adjust to caring for them in that way.

4. Don't Hesitate to Drop By.

Just because you aren't providing care to your loved one any longer does not mean that you can't just pop by whenever you feel like it. Sure, it just so happens that the caregiver is there at the time that you drop in. As a person who cares, you need to see how everything is going during the visit. Make sure that you see the caregiver providing proper care to your loved one, that the treatment plan is being appropriately followed and that your loved one's needs are being quickly and efficiently attended to. Don't forget to also make sure that the caregiver is sincerely interested with the comfort and security of your loved one.

5. Never Stray from Your Gut.

It is your responsibility to make sure that your loved one is receiving the best and most appropriate care possible. If your gut is telling you that this caregiver is not the best person suited to take care of your loved one, then request a change as soon as possible.

For more information, contact Handle With Care In-Home Care & Assistance or a similar company.