The decision to hire a professional caregiver takes careful consideration, and you may soon find having help with your elderly loved one’s care benefits everyone. In the meantime, there are some things you can do to ease the transition as your loved one and your family adjusts to a new member of your caregiving team.
Plan an Observation Day
When caregivers begin working with seniors, they often try to keep daily routines as normal as possible. Ask the new caregiver to take the time to observe how your loved one spends a typical day. Not only can this help the caregiver understand how to respond to your loved one’s needs, but it also provides an opportunity for the two of them to get to know each other.
Ask for Feedback
After the professional caregiver has spent some time observing, ask what he or she thinks about your loved one’s current Oakville elder care plan. Often, caregivers have new strategies to suggest based on what they’ve learned from experience. You can also ask your loved one how he or she felt with the new caregiver and use this information to ensure he or she is comfortable with the potential changes in care.
Step Back Gradually
When you hire a caregiver, it is not always necessary to have him or her take over everything right away. Starting off by having the caregiver only manage a few parts of your loved one’s day can make the transition easier for everyone. If you use this strategy, try having the Oakville hourly caregiver handle some of your loved one’s favorite daily events like mealtimes so they have a better chance of bonding. Later, you can gradually allow the caregiver to take over more of the daily routine until your loved one is comfortable.
Plan a Special Activity
Your first day without having to provide part-time or live-in care in Oakville for your loved one may leave you feeling a wide range of emotions. If possible, plan something to keep your mind off of it such as going to the gym or getting a haircut. You may also plan a special surprise for your loved one, such as his or her favorite meal, to help celebrate his or her independence.
At Home Care Assistance, we understand entrusting your loved one’s care with someone outside the family can be emotionally challenging. Our compassionate and qualified Care Managers are available 24/7 to help you through this transition and ensure your loved one receives the high-quality care he or she needs and deserves. For more information on our senior care services and to schedule a complimentary consultation, call (905) 337-1200 today.