Building Relationships Between Family Caregivers And Home Care Providers
Caregivers in Frederick County VA
Family caregivers give their all to satisfy the needs of their elderly loved ones. It is often a stressful position to be in; they usually have careers, spouses, and children who need their attention as well. Managing upwards of two households and the demands of a workplace is overwhelming at times. This is why many family caregivers turn to home care services to make sure their loved ones get the care they need.
A home care provider can ease the stress of certain parts of a senior’s life: From personal care needs such as bathing and eating, household management like cooking and cleaning, even health and emotional needs. Indeed, home care providers often become a regular presence in the home. This is why building a relationship with a service is important, not only between the care workers and the person receiving aid, but with family members as well.
Because this is such an important care partnership, there are certain things family caregivers should keep in mind when they look for a home care service:
- Make personal preferences known.
Family members often have certain principles or values that they share. Finding a care agency that respects these preferences is important for everyone to feel comfortable. Most home care services will try to meet these preferences as much as possible.
- Take the care receiver’s requests and needs into consideration.
Comfort and trust are two main components to a successful care relationship. The senior receiving care may have a preference for how their care should be handled. Even elders who cannot communicate clearly may have evident preferences the family is already aware of. For example, they may prefer someone of the same sex helping them with bathing and dressing.
- Communication is key.
Clear communication between family caregivers and home care service providers will help minimize stress between all parties. This is especially important if family members will not be present during home care hours. Contact numbers should always be up-to-date.
Another useful idea is keeping a notebook available at the care receiver’s home. Particularly useful when caring for someone with dementia, both family members and care workers can voice their concerns in the notebook. It also acts as a hardcopy log, which is helpful when it comes to decision-making. For example, caregivers may note that the elder in their care is having difficulty eating over several days. Not only does this help family members make the decision to seek help, it will be useful to medical professionals when deciding what treatment to pursue.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring in-home professional caregivers in Frederick County VA, please contact the caring staff at LivinRite Home Care. Call Us Today at (703) 369-6677. Serving Northern Virginia, The Valley, and Surrounding Communities.
Sources:
https://caregiver.org/hiring-home-help
https://caregiver.org/making-choices-about-everyday-care-families
https://caregiver.org/caregiver-working-successfully-home-care-services
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8132921
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