When you have a family member or know someone who is bound to the home and unable to get out like before, your goal is to become the best primary caregiver possible. There are sacrifices that will likely be made, but the rewards of being able to be with a loved one and saving money instead of that person going to a nursing home are worth those sacrifices. There are some tips to keep in mind when becoming a primary caregiver so that you can earn the trust of the patient while performing a professional job.
Respecting Boundaries
Even if you live with the person you’re caring for, you need to remember that the patient has boundaries. It could be a hospital bed or the entire home. Don’t think that you will be able to have a complete say in what the person can and can’t do unless that person isn’t mentally able to make those decisions. Everyone needs space, and that’s one of the last things that patients who receive home health care have left before they pass away in most situations.
Proper Equipment
Before you start providing care, you need to have all of the equipment in the home that will be used with the patient. Companies like Corner Home Medical have items that include wheelchairs, lifts and scooters to better help patients keep a bit of the mobility that they have. Stick with orders from a doctor when ordering equipment that is specialized instead of getting random items from a health store.
Documentation
Keep track of everything that takes place with the patient. If the person sneezes or coughs, it should be recorded in the event that a cold, the flu or another illness develops. You need to record intake and output along with any dressings that are changed and medications that are given. If you take proper care to note everything with the patient, it will make things easier when visiting the doctor about the patient’s condition.
Compassion
There are many people who don’t want to be relegated to a home health caregiver who will perform simple tasks that include feeding or bathing. Try to let the person do as much as possible while offering the compassion that is needed for the patient’s condition. This is when the patient will begin to trust in what you’re doing as a caregiver.
Providing care for someone who is unable to do so in the home can be challenging. There are basic duties that you must adhere to in order to provide safety for the person as well as the essential needs that the person has on a daily basis. Along the way, feelings of encouragement and love can develop for the person you work with in the home, making it easier to provide health care.
