Best Practices for Working in Home Care  

One of the perks of being an adult is our independence. However, as we age, there may be tasks we can’t do on our own any longer. Many of these tend to be critical to quality of life, such as taking the right medication at the right time, keeping a clean house and preparing nutritious meals. While it’s easy for family and friends to suggest finding help with these tasks, bringing a stranger into the home is another matter altogether.

As an in-home care provider, it’s essential you use best practices as you go about your day. The care you provide should match the needs of the individual you’re caring for. Some may be seniors who require assistance with daily needs, while others may be recovering from surgery or suffering a long-term illness and require more extensive care. Your goal is to provide the opportunity for people to stay at home for as long as possible.

You may be called upon to provide a variety of non-medical services, including live-in care. In most cases, you’ll be helping with daily activities, such as dressing and bathing. Remember to provide your client with as much privacy as possible. Your client has been caring for themselves for years and is suddenly placed in a position where they must rely on another individual for activities they may find embarrassing. It’s important to demonstrate respect and provide privacy.

In some cases, you’ll need to assist clients with safely managing tasks around the house. Your first visit to the home will likely include a safety checklist to determine alterations that may need to be made to keep your client safe. Removing throw rugs, placing phones in every room and keeping emergency phone numbers close at hand, are just a few of the ways you can keep your client safe between visits.

 

What Are Your Clients Looking For?

Most of your clients are also looking for companionship as they may be living alone or with individuals who are working all day. It can get extremely lonely living alone. However, it’s also important not to get overly involved with your patients as this can lead to problems with family members or being taken advantage of. It is sometimes necessary to cater to special requirements for your clients, but not be running personal errands for family members.

Your level of commitment and dedication to the job will guide your actions while caring for your client. Pay close attention to differences you may notice from day to day. You are in a unique position of being able to notice changes that may indicate medication side effects or changes in medical status that should be reported to the family and their healthcare provider.

If you are asked to provide meal preparation for your clients, talk to family members about specific dietary requirements and discuss the best nutritional plan to assist your client in recovery and rehabilitation. Dietary habits that include high levels of carbohydrates or processed foods do not support health and wellness. Since you’ll be helping with meal preparation, it may be possible to prepare several meals in advance so your client has something healthy to eat when you’re not there.

Providing the best possible care to your clients’ benefits them and you. Your personal and professional growth will be evident with each new client you take on. The ability to step into someone else’s life is an opportunity you won’t soon forget.

 

Consider A Position In Healthcare Services Today

At Anodyne, we are a trusted resource throughout Eastern Massachusetts and are here to help you provide the best care to your clients. Contact us today and let’s get started changing lives together!