Being an in-home caregiver for seniors can be a very rewarding career, filled with joyous moments and instances of pure connection. Many professionals choose to become home caregivers for life, reveling in the lasting bonds that they can form with their clients. However, if you are just starting out in this profession or are preparing to work with a new client in an unfamiliar home, you might have some questions.
Working in an unfamiliar home as a caregiver comes with some unique challenges. Serenity Home Care has been helping people in the Beaverton, OR, area, including Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties, for nearly 25 years. If you go in knowing what to expect with these tips, you will be well-prepared for any eventuality.
Prioritize Good Communication
Starting out as a home caregiver for a new client can be exciting, but it could also cause you to experience some jitters, especially if you are new to the senior home care profession. You are essentially entering someone else’s home and becoming familiar with their space and routine in a very short time. One of the best things any caregiver can do before beginning their work in an unfamiliar home is to establish good communication, both with the client and their family. Maintaining an open and honest dialogue will not only help you get up to speed on your client’s needs, but it will help a strong rapport to build up over time.
Understand All Emergency Procedures
Every home should have a set of emergency procedures in place. When you start working with a new client, you should ask family members or involved relatives about the best numbers to call in case of an emergency, Ask about any medical advice specific to the senior loved one you are working with. Ask as many questions as you need to fully understand the procedures. Not only does this help you to be better prepared, but it will help the family understand that you care deeply about their loved one’s health and safety needs.
Carefully Review Family Dynamics
When you start working in an unfamiliar home as an in-home caregiver, you should make time to review and understand the home’s unique family dynamic. Pay attention to how your client interacts with his or her family. You might also be required to be in regular communication with your client’s children or spouse. Setting expectations upfront in regards to their senior loved one’s care will help to keep the professional relationships smooth and conflict free, ensuring your journey as a caregiver is successful as well as rewarding.
Asking for feedback is a great way to check in with your client and their family. Consider sitting down with your client or any applicable relatives and asking them how they believe the first day went, and if there is anything they would like to improve or change going forward. This helps to solidify the fact that you truly care about your client and want the relationship to be a strong one.
Serenity Home Care Offers Professional Caregiver Resources
Great rapport doesn’t always happen instantly, and professional in-home senior caregivers know that sometimes it can take a while before clients truly become comfortable welcoming someone new into their space. However, with time and attention, most clients are able to build a strong bond with their caregiver, creating a relationship that can last for years and providing memories that last for a lifetime.
Are you interested in embarking on a career in senior companion services and want to learn more about home health care employment opportunities? Serenity Home Care is the premier provider of comprehensive, compassionate in-home care to senior residents in and around the Beaverton, Oregon, area. We serve residents in Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties. We offer a variety of positions to accommodate your unique employment needs, whether you are looking for full-time or part-time work as a caregiver. Contact us today to learn more about the caregiving services we offer and how you can get started.
