Adjusting to bringing a caregiver into your home can be a big transition. Although it’s their job, you want to make sure that your caregiver feels welcome and appreciated in your home. While you try to navigate this transition and welcome a new person to your household, here are a few tips on how to make a caregiver feel comfortable.
Create a Good Foundation
Having a caregiver in your home means you have someone new in your personal space and that can be a transition for everyone, including them. Try and start off on the right foot by giving your caregiver everything they need for their job and give them the opportunity to ask as many questions as they need. Start with a tour of the home and make sure to point out important spaces they will need to make note of, such as cabinets that hold medicine, cleaning supplies, and drawers that have contact information.
Give Them a Comfortable Work Environment
Keep in mind that your caregiver will be doing physical labor around your home for extended periods of time, so make sure that they have a comfortable work environment to perform their tasks. Keep in mind the temperature you leave your house at and consider lowering it or raising it to a more comfortable level, and if you smoke in your home, consider instead having an outside smoking area. Also, try and keep in mind that your caregiver is a human too, so while it may taking some getting used to, keep in mind that your caregiver will need to use your restroom from time to time or may need a drink of water.
Keep Them in the Loop
Circumstances may change often in your home so be sure to keep the caregiver as well-informed as possible. To make matters even more streamlined, consider purchasing a repair service plan so that if appliances in your home need fixing, your caregiver knows exactly who to call. In case of an emergency, they need to know what steps they need to take in order to keep everyone safe and secure. The same can go for preparing meals and administering medication. Keeping your caregiver out of the loop will both make them uncomfortable and also have potentially negative consequences.
Don’t Be Afraid to “Over-Explain”
More often than not, people are prone to not explain enough in fear of being rude. There’s is nothing wrong with being repetitive when it comes to ensuring the comfort of your household. Keep in mind that each job is different for a caregiver and as such, their new job will take some getting used to.
Be Nice!
Your caregiver is a newcomer to your home, so while being nice may seem “on the nose” it is often overlooked. Be sure to express your gratitude in them being at your home to help them, and don’t forget to say “Thank you.”
