Health & Aging | Caregiver Support
Providing care for a loved one can be rewarding, but also emotionally and physically demanding. You worry about everything from their safety to effectively managing all their needs. And all the while, you are watching someone you care about struggle with their health. It’s a difficult situation for everyone involved.One solution is to enlist the support of a professional caregiver, whom you can hire privately or through a home care agency. They can be your partner, even if just temporarily while you search for a senior living community as a long-term solution. By creating a strong caregiving partnership, you can significantly improve quality of life for you and the person you are caring for.
Working Collaboratively With a Caregiver
Establishing a collaborative relationship with a caregiver or an agency ensures that both parties are working together toward a common goal: the health, safety, and well-being of the older adult receiving care. Here are key strategies for building a successful caregiver partnership:
Commit to Clear Communications
Effective communication is the foundation of any successful partnership. Whether you are working with an individual caregiver or a home care agency, it’s essential to establish open lines of communication. This means being transparent about the needs of the person requiring care, as well as any preferences, routines, and medical requirements.
Regular check-ins with caregivers can ensure that concerns are addressed promptly and both parties are working in sync toward the goals outlined in the care plan. For example, you may need to explain your loved one’s preferred diet, daily activities, or medication regimen. Sharing these preferences clearly and specifically will help the caregiver deliver tailored care.
Set Expectations Early
One of the key steps to building a caregiver partnership is to set clear expectations from the beginning. This includes outlining the caregiver’s duties, hours of work, and compensation. If you are hiring caregiver assistance through a home care agency, it’s important to understand the services they provide. Understand if it’s companion care, personal care, or medical assistance.
Discuss your loved one’s needs in detail and agree on the approach to caregiving. To help prevent misunderstandings and confirm both parties understand their roles and responsibilities, have a well-defined care plan in addition to a signed agreement. For example, if a caregiver is required to assist with activities such as bathing or dressing, or to provide mobility assistance, make sure they are comfortable with these tasks and have the necessary training.
Build Mutual Trust
Trust is paramount in any caregiving situation. The person receiving care must feel comfortable with their caregiver, and the caregiver needs to trust that their client’s family will be supportive and communicative. Building trust can take time, and it is important to be patient and understanding. If a caregiver works for a home care agency, it’s beneficial to offer regular updates and have feedback sessions with the agency to ensure that both the caregiver and the recipient feel supported.
It’s also important to give caregivers the tools and resources they need to succeed. This might include access to background medical information, emergency contacts, and any additional training required for specific health conditions.
Utilize Caregiving Tools and Resources
Another way to build a strong caregiving partnership is to utilize tools and resources that help make the process as smooth and efficient as possible. A few to explore include:
- Lotsa Helping Hands: This useful app provides a platform for coordinating meal deliveries, transportation, and other tasks with family and friends.
- Pillboxie: Managing medication scheduling is easier with a reminder app like this one. It helps caregivers keep track of prescription times and dosages.
- Medisafe: This is another medication management app that provides reminders and notifications for medication schedules, including texting a caregiver if a dose is missed.
Legal and Financial Considerations
When hiring a caregiver, whether through an agency or independently, it’s important to understand the legal and financial aspects of the arrangement. This includes ensuring that employment contracts are in place, wages are fair, and taxes are handled properly.
If the caregiver is employed through a home care agency, the agency should handle the financial and legal requirements. However, if you hire an independent caregiver, make sure you understand your responsibilities, including paying taxes and providing workers’ compensation if necessary.
Using In-Home Caregivers During the Search for Senior Living
From research and planning to visiting and touring, finding a senior living community that’s the right fit for you or a loved one can take time. By hiring a home care agency or private caregiver, you can give yourself and your family the time you need to make an informed decision.
Finally, if you are struggling to figure out how to initiate a conversation about moving to a senior living community with a loved one, PSL has a guide you might find helpful. Talking with a Parent About Moving to a Senior Living Community is a free download filled with tips to make this conversation go more smoothly.
