Hiring a caregiver can take quite a bit of stress off your shoulders and allow you to enjoy the time you spend with your aging loved one. A professional caregiver can help you with a wide array of everyday tasks, and you can rest assured your loved one will be safe and cared for at all times. Here are five steps you can take to get your loved one’s home ready for an in-home caregiver.
1. Get a Room Ready
If your loved one is going to have a live-in caregiver, you’ll need to designate a room so the caregiver will have some personal space. As a general rule, the caregiver’s room should be as close to your loved one’s room as possible without infringing on your loved one’s privacy. Ideally, the caregiver’s room will be centrally located on the ground floor of the home. If the rooms are going to be separated, invest in some type of monitoring device. An inexpensive baby monitor is a great option for caregivers, and these devices can be picked up at most electronics stores.
2. Set Up a Caregiving Station
In a central location, set up a small station with all the basic supplies the caregiver is going to need. In that station, you might want to have a journal for jotting down notes, pencils, a first aid kit, and a phone book with important numbers.
An experienced professional caregiver will probably have a few savvy tips on how to organize a caregiving station and coordinate communication among family caregivers. Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated elderly home care, Montgomery, AL, families can turn to Home Care Assistance. Our respite and live-in caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise.
3. Declutter the Home
While you don’t need to completely empty out the home, try to get rid of any unnecessary clutter. Make sure the caregiver won’t have to navigate through dirty clothes, electrical cords, or other tripping hazards. Just before the move-in date, you should spend some time deep cleaning the home as well. A clean home is going to make a great first impression and set the tone for the rest of the caregiver’s stay.
4. Secure Personal Items
Most caregivers are extremely trustworthy, but leaving valuable personal items around the home could be a liability issue. An honest mistake might result in an unnecessary confrontation, which is one situation you want to avoid at all costs. At the very least, you should put all personal documents in a high-quality safe or lockable filing cabinet. For family heirlooms and extremely valuable items, you might want to rent a safe deposit box.
For many seniors in Montgomery, live-in care is an essential component of aging in place safely and comfortably. However, it’s important for them to have caregivers they can trust and rely on. At Home Care Assistance, we extensively screen all of our live-in and 24-hour caregivers and only hire those who have experience in the senior home care industry. Our strict requirements ensure seniors can remain in the comfort of home with a reduced risk of injury or serious illness.
5. Label Everything
Investing in a label gun can make the caregiver’s life much easier as he or she gets used to living in a new space. Rummaging through drawers looking for basic items is a waste of time that is likely to increase stress levels. You’ll also need to set aside some general space for the caregiver’s food and any other personal items. Labeling those spaces may ease the caregiver’s transition and make him or her feel at home.
These few adjustments can help your new caregiver feel welcome and ease the introduction process. One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide elderly care. Montgomery families can turn to Home Care Assistance for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour live-in care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties. Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at Home Care Assistance. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call Home Care Assistance at (334) 593-3988 today.