5 Things to Think About When You Hire a Live-in Carer
Live-in care is an excellent option for 1 to 1 around clock care and may be a far better alternative to a care home. When you are planning live-in care either for yourself or for a loved one, you should consider these 5 points first.
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1. How do I ensure a good match?
Most live-in carers who have worked for several clients are highly skilled at adapting to the needs and personalities of their clients. You should think about personality, background, culture, and interests as well as experience and professional qualifications to ensure that the carer meets your needs.
2. What should I provide for the carer?
Your live-in carer will need their own room, preferably with a tv and wi-fi. Of course, they are there to care for you, but it is important that they have their own space to take a break and get good quality sleep. One of the main benefits of having a live-in carer is to have the flexibility to arrange their time around your needs, which allows you both to have a down time, privacy, and personal space.
3. Importance of good communication
Having a live-in carer means sharing your home with another person. It is important to communicate your special needs and values at the beginning. For instance, if you have pets, make sure that your carer is comfortable around those fluffy cuties and if you expect home cooked food ensure the carer is a capable cook. Communicate and express your wishes and concerns openly to build a strong, honest relationship.
4. Establishing ground rules and routine
To avoid any tension or uncertainty around what needs to be done and when, consider what you expect from your live-in carer and establish agreed arrangements to address such points. Live-in care can prove extremely supportive, and fulfilling, but just like in other real-life scenarios knowing the boundaries, rules, and responsibilities is the key to successful working relationship.
5. Respect and patience
Build and maintain stable and meaningful relationship with your carer based on mutual respect, understanding and patience. Your live-in carer will be a genuine and compassionate person who made the choice to care for you 24/7 and help you to live as fulfilled a life as possible. Your carer will respect that it is your home and will be there to support you.
