How To Prepare For Transitioning Into Home Care

Introduction

As we age, it is more likely that individuals may find themselves needing additional care and some assistance to help them maintain their health and wellbeing. Some people may choose to move into a care home or an assisted living facility, others who prefer to receive care in the comfortable environment of their own home would choose the option of home care, especially if they are already receiving some care from a family member. Home care is a perfect option for those who wish to remain independent for as long as they can whilst receiving valuable care to support them to stay safe and healthy at home. We have put together some helpful tips on how you can prepare for a transition into home care.

Making The Home A Safe Environment

Before you make the transition into home care you will need to ensure the home is hazard free. Check all environments of the home and make adjustments where necessary to ensure the safety of your loved one. There may be parts of the home that require modifications such as grab bars and hand rails to accommodate your loved ones needs.

For more information on how to make the home a safer place please see our previous article - Steps to Make Your Older Loved One's Home Safer

Establish The Level Of Care Required

Each individual has their own unique needs, especially when it comes to home care. There are different levels of support provided from a home carer from assistance with tasks such as bathing and getting dressed to more intensive medical care and rehabilitation. It is important to speak with a doctor when determining what level of care is required for your loved one’s needs and to identify any potential risks or complications. Once fully eqipped with this information you can work alongside your chosen home care provider to design a tailored care plan for your loved one. 

Finding A Suitable And Reputable Home Carer

Now you have a clear understanding of your loved ones requirements the next stage is to source a home care provider. This may involve some research within your area, reading online reviews, testimonials and make sure to speak with other people who have used their services. It is vital to use a company with outstanding reviews and a strong reputation of providing high quality care, seek out providers who have been in the industry for a long time and have experience caring for clients with similar needs to yours. Look for a provider that maintains open and transparent communication with clients and their families, including regular updates on the client's condition and any changes to the care plan.

Involve Your loved One In all the Decisions

Make sure to involve your loved one in every step of the decision-making process, this will make the whole process much easier. They will need to be able to discuss their own preferences of care and identifying themselves where they feel that they would like more support. Keep the conversation positive, try not to focus on the challenges or any problems but the benefits that home care brings. Work together to develop a plan that meets their needs as well as maintaining their own level of independence and autonomy. It is also important to have a discussion with family members who have involvement in their care as they will also be able to identify areas that they could use more help with. 

From Family Caregiving To Home Care

Transitioning from caregiving as a family member to enlisting the services of a home carer can be intimidating to get started. It can be a daunting task to consider handing over your loved one’s care to a professional. You may have some feelings of guilt or hesitations of introducing a new person into your loved one’s life along with a new routine. These reservations are perfectly normal and a conversation with your new home care provider will of course help to erase any worries you have. This is why it is important to meet with them and ask any questions you have so that you feel confident entrusting them to support your loved one. It can also be a gradual change where you share responsibilities but giving you the option of some respite initially and releiving some tasks.

Conclusion

A professional home carer is a valuable solution for families with loved ones who can benefit from the additional help of a carer who can help when needed and provide services that a family member may not be able to assist with. Also providing the individual and families with valuable emotional support.