It’s a large adjustment to have a full-time caregiver living in your home. Since this professional is entering into a new space, it's crucial to make them feel welcome and set the partnership up for success. If you recently hired a caregiver to support your loved one, follow the tips below to help everyone become comfortable with the new addition. 

How to Make Your Residential Caregiver Feel at Home

1. Introduce Them to the Home

Make sure everyone is kind and welcoming when it’s time to meet the new home health aide. Start by giving them a tour of the home, including their room. Then, gather the family and sit down to learn more about each other. Make sure your loved one who will be receiving care is present at this time to make the transition easier. 

This will hopefully be a long-term relationship, so you want to make sure everyone gets along.

2. Establish a Strong Communication

Your caregiver needs proper information to perform their duties. Make sure to inform them of crucial tasks, such as what medications your loved one needs to take and at what time. 

Streamline what you can. Provide takeout menus of restaurants your loved one likes to order from, write out a list of daily tasks, and let them know what activities your loved one enjoys, such as reading.

3. Allow Them to Partake in Family Activities

To facilitate a connection between the caregiver and your family, allow them to sit in on family activities with your loved one present. For example, if your family has a tradition of playing board games every Friday, allow the caregiver to team up with your loved one to encourage teamwork. 

If your loved one enjoys eating a particular dish, such as pasta with meatballs, let the caretaker watch you make it for them. This way, they can learn how to mimic your recipe and feel confident the next time they prepare a meal for your loved one.

If you’re looking for a quality in-home caregiver, turn to Deer Valley Home Health Services. They have locations in Berkeley, St. Charles, and St. Louis, MO, and have caregivers who specialize in senior and veteran care. They’ve been in business since 2005, and their in-home providers are carefully vetted for their passion for giving top-quality care. Visit their website to browse their services or call (314) 355-3679 to discuss your needs.