One of the many concerns of families when introducing home care or even a caregiver would be the resistance coming from senior adult patients. We understand that they usually feel uncomfortable when home care is being discussed because they feel like we are taking away their independence and we see them as weak, feeble, and even useless. And of course, we know where they are coming from.

Thus, as concerned family members, it is our job to make them understand that this move of ours is more beneficial for us than for them. We should make them understand that we just want to have peace of mind every time we are away from them, that is why we need the help of somebody else to keep them safe. We should also explain to them that hiring a care provider would actually allow them to accomplish more tasks, making them more productive than when unassisted.

When it comes to introducing the caregiver and making them get along with each other, here are some tips that Supreme Touch Home Health Services Corp. would like to share with you. Our years of experience as a provider of home health care in Columbus Ohio allowed us to learn a lot about how patients react to new caregivers and how we can help them be accepted and get along with their patients.

• Introduce the caregiver the best way you can.

  The first key is to properly sell-in the new caregiver. Seniors are usually wary about who will be taking care of them. Where did she come from? What can she do differently for me? These are but the few questions in a senior’s mind. So even before the queries start coming in, it is best that we introduce the new person as comprehensively as we can, leaving no doubt about her capability to provide proper care for the patient.

• Let the caregiver establish rapport slowly but steadily.

  After the introduction, allow the caregiver to establish rapport and connection on her own. For sure, if the care provider is experienced, she would know better on how to properly get along with new patients. This will also allow the patient to discover the person on his own, and without any bias from you.

• Appreciate the good works of the caregiver in front of the senior patient.

  If you can see that the care provider is doing really well in caring for the patient and in doing some needed chores, do express your appreciation loudly. This way, the senior can affirm his own appreciation or can start to appreciate the caregiver’s good works that may easily go unnoticed.

• Get to know the patient’s thoughts about the new person.

  Of course, you wouldn’t want to keep pushing the issue if you can sense that some things just don’t fit well. Thus, after some time, you would also have to talk to your senior loved one as to what he really thinks about the care provider you have gotten for him. If he says that he is happy with the job she is doing, well and good. But if there are really serious issues that are real and rooted, then of course, you would have to do something about it. For sure, home care agencies would highly appreciate honest feedback from clients and would be more than willing to replace the caregiver that is performing unsatisfactorily.

• Be realistic with your expectations.

  When it comes to this, you would also have to set realistic expectations. You cannot simply say that a week or a month is enough for the caregiver and for your patient to get along. It will really depend on the character of the patient and his personal reception of the caregiver you have given him. Give it time, and you will see that things can just fall into place. But again, if it really doesn’t work, then you would have to intervene and do what needs to be done.

If you want to experience the best care from seasoned care providers, call Supreme Touch Home Health Services Corp. today. We guarantee that our healthcare professionals can deliver satisfaction above expectations.