3 Tips To Encourage Better Relationships With Your Loved One's In-Home Caregivers
For patients who want to remain in their homes, in-home healthcare is a valuable resource that allows them to live in a place where they feel comfortable and secure. In-home care gives them the assistance and medical treatments they need without requiring the patient and their family to arrange for transportation or go through the work required to leave the home.
Some patients feel apprehensive at the thought of having medical providers, who they may not be familiar with, come to their homes. Here are a few tips to help your loved one have better relationships with their in-home caregivers.
1. Get Your Loved One's Input About Their Preferred Caregiver
An in-home healthcare worker helps their patients with a variety of sensitive tasks, some of which may make the patient feel vulnerable. Help your loved one feel more at ease by asking them about their preferences for their caregiver.
For example, if an in-home nurse will assist them with bathing or handling other personal hygiene tasks, they may prefer an individual of the same sex who is close to their age. Or, if they like interacting with a specific individual, arrange for this person to be around during times that they're awake.
While it isn't always possible to immediately find someone who satisfies their preferences, over time, you can adjust the rotation for the in-home care providers so that they have individuals they're most comfortable with for specific tasks. Your in-home healthcare agency will also assist with accommodating your requests.
2. Help Your Loved One Understand the Purpose of Their In-Home Medical Providers
Patients feel more at ease when they understand why someone is coming into their home. In a calm environment free of background noise, discuss each in-home healthcare worker's role in their care.
You can also talk about the healthcare worker's responsibilities so that your loved one has realistic expectations and knows what to expect. If they know a certain provider is there for wound care or physical therapy, this gives them a chance to mentally prepare for the visit.
3. Respond to Their Concerns
Your loved one may complain about their in-home healthcare. While this is normal, it's vital to address their concerns so that you can help them maintain positive relationships with their caregivers and medical professions.
Some patients may not feel like they need in-home care or might have issues with the type of care they're receiving. Listen to their concerns objectively and work together to find a solution. For example, if they feel an-home worker doesn't explain what they're doing, encourage more communication between them and remove any distractions during their time together.
Contact a local in-home healthcare service to find out how you can work out these issues together.
