Choosing in-home care for your aging parent doesn’t mean you’re no longer involved with your mom or dad’s care. In fact, most professional caregivers encourage family members to be a part of the process as much as possible. At the same time, it’s equally important to take some steps on your end to build a strong relationship with your parent’s caregiver. Here are some tips to consider as you do this.
Realize What an In-Home Caregiver Will Do
Avoid any unintentional confusion or sources of friction by clearly understanding what an in-home caregiver will do for your parent as well as what caregivers don’t normally do for clients. Typically, in-home caregivers assist with nonmedical tasks involving:
- Grooming, bathing, and other activities of daily living
- Light housework
- Transportation to run errands and go to doctors’ appointments
- Cooking and meal prep
- Companionship and socialization
If you have any doubts about what your parent’s caregiver will do, ask. Also, remember there’s normally a fairly broad degree of flexibility with the nature of care provided.
Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading home care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.
Determine How You Wish to Communicate
Build a strong relationship by getting on the same page about preferences for communication. For some people, this means a mix of in-person and remote updates, while others prefer emails or texts for general updates. Clarifying your communication preferences can reduce the potential for conflicts or misunderstandings.
Check in Regularly & Get to Know the Caregiver
You don’t have to become best friends with your parent’s caregiver, but do take some time to actually get to know him or her. It’s also perfectly fine to drift back into a routine that works better for you. However, you’ll still want to check in on a regular basis beyond being there when the caregiver arrives. Your parent’s needs will change over time, so pick a day of the week or a few times a month to get full updates.
Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Anchorage, AK, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.
Address Concerns Directly
Problems or concerns will likely arise at one time or another as care is provided. Whether the issue is something small, such as the caregiver occasionally arriving late, or something a bit more serious, be professional with how such matters are handled. While you certainly have the right to request another caregiver, try to calmly and rationally work out any issues first before resorting to this option. More often than not, in-home caregivers are willing to try to find acceptable solutions.
Maintain Safety & Comfort
In-home caregivers don’t expect seniors to have spotless homes, but they do have a right to work in environments that are free of potential safety hazards, which may mean doing a brief walk-through before scheduled arrivals. Also, be honest with the caregiver if your parent exhibits problematic behaviors, especially ones related to dementia. This will allow the caregiver to be better prepared.
Respect/Encourage Reasonable Boundaries
In-home caregivers have the right to maintain their own privacy and take time for themselves. While most caregivers won’t mind occasionally staying late or shifting schedules around, keep expectations reasonable and realistic. Also, it’s best to:
- Avoid drawing the caregiver into personal family matters
- Be mindful of whether or not your parent is becoming overly attached to the caregiver
- Be respectful of any restrictions the caregiver might be required to uphold, such as not accepting expensive gifts or extra money beyond the normal compensation
If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional elder care, Anchorage Home Care Assistance should be your top choice. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers are committed to helping older adults manage their health and enjoy a higher quality of life in the golden years. For more information about our flexible, customizable home care plans, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (907) 770-0907.