Whether you know someone who has been in hospital and is well enough to move back home but now needs additional care to help them support their lifestyle, or there is a relative or friend that has slowly become less able in their own home and needs additional help around the house or with their personal care, both can feel like a big change to someone, especially if they have been used to being alone or independent up until that point.
Because of this, it is important to ease the transition between living alone and having additional help in the house. Here are some tips to help you do just that.
Make Sure to Hire a Reputable Carer
It is vital that you hire someone who knows what they are doing, preferably has care experience, and someone who has any specialist skills that you require. If you do not know where to start looking for your ideal carer, then ask at the hospital or ask any friends or family that have needed access to carers to see what they recommend.
Always go to a reputable company to hire home care for elderly people, and make sure you check everyone’s credentials, licenses, and qualifications before you sign any paperwork or go ahead with the meeting. If something does not feel right, do not be afraid to change your mind or look elsewhere.
Take It as Slow as Possible
New, personal changes can often be difficult to manage, no matter what the reason. If someone is coming from hospital to home, there will more than likely be the initial gratitude and relief of being back in their own space again, but to then have to have additional help can cause some anxiety. This is also true for just a change of circumstances in their own home that might require them to have a carer, such as a worsening disability, mental health issues, or mobility problems.
As with many transitions, the best thing to do is to make the change as slowly as possible so everyone can become adjusted comfortably. Some people will not have the luxury of doing this, but if you do, maybe a carer could be introduced for a few hours at a time to a few days a week while they become settled, and eventually into full time if that is what is required.
Keep Up with Communication
It is vital that communication is made a priority during any time of transition, and speaking to the person who needs care about their thoughts and asking them how they feel will help the transition. It is vital that they are comfortable and have a say in what is happening if they are able to understand. Keeping that trust is also important in case there are any problems or if something happens that needs to be reported.
Make sure to check in with the person who requires a carer to ensure their needs are being met and they are as happy as they can be with the arrangement and make adjustments if necessary.
