Getting a Senior’s Home Ready for a Live-In Caregiver

By 9  am on

How to Prepare the Home for a Live-In Caregiver in Edmonton, AB

Hiring a live-in caregiver is a great way to ensure your senior loved one receives consistent care during all hours of the day. Here are some tips to help you prepare the home before the caregiver’s arrival. 

Provide Important Information

All information that’s essential to providing excellent live-in care for your loved one should be easy for the caregiver to access. Some examples of important nformation a live-in caregiver should have include:

  • Medication schedule
  • Phone numbers for doctors, social workers, nurses, and the pharmacy
  • Emergency family contacts
  • List of allergies
  • Physical activity and therapy routines
  • Dietary needs

For many seniors in Edmonton, AB, live-in care is an essential component of aging in place safely and comfortably. However, it’s important for them to have caregivers they can trust and rely on. At Home Care Assistance, we extensively screen all of our live-in and 24-hour caregivers and only hire those who have experience in the senior home care industry. Our strict requirements ensure seniors can remain in the comfort of home with a reduced risk of injury or serious illness.

Set Up a Central Caregiving Station 

Once a professional caregiver joins your caregiving team, your family will benefit from having an extra person to share important responsibilities. A central caregiving station will help everyone communicate easily about what’s going on with your loved one’s care. Choose a main area in the house where you can place a calendar and leave notes. A simple whiteboard can be helpful for ensuring everyone is on the same page.

 

An experienced professional caregiver will probably have a few savvy tips on how to organize a caregiving station and coordinate communication among family caregivers. Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated senior care, Edmonton, AB, families can turn to Home Care Assistance. Our respite and live-in caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise.

Prepare the Bedroom

A live-in caregiver will require a comfortable private room he or she can sleep in and retreat to during times when his or her help isn’t needed. Ideally, this room should be in close proximity to your loved one while still offering privacy. The room should also be secure because this is where the caregiver will store most of his or her personal belongings. If your loved one’s home has multiple rooms, talk to him or her about which one is best for the caregiver so he or she feels involved in the decision.

Purchase new bedding that hasn’t been used in other rooms. You’ll need to buy multiple sets of sheets so the caregiver can change the bedding as often as he or she sees fit. It may also be necessary to add lamps and other furnishings to make the room hospitable for the caregiver. 

Make Space in the Bathroom

Try to give the caregiver a private bathroom. If that isn’t feasible, set aside extra space in the bathroom for his or her toiletries and other necessary items. It’s also a good idea to provide a shelf, drawer, or storage container the caregiver can use to hold toiletries.

Keep the Kitchen Organized 

In addition to preparing meals and snacks for your loved one, the live-in caregiver will also need to prepare his or her own meals. Therefore, the kitchen should be well organized. Put labels on the drawers and shelves until the caregiver has learned where the kitchen items are stored. Create a list of foods your loved one prefers and give it to the caregiver. To make the caregiver feel more comfortable and make his or her job easier, encourage him or her to make small changes in the kitchen.

These few adjustments can help your new caregiver feel welcome and ease the introduction process for both your loved one and his or her new caregiver. One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide at-home care. Turn to Home Care Assistance for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour live-in care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties. Reach out to us at Home Care Assistance if you need compassionate, professional home care for your loved one. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (780) 490-7337 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BLOG



    Request Free Information or
    Schedule a Free in-Home Consultation