Tips for a Successful Live-in Placement
I’ve seen more than 500 carers starting their placements and I would like to give a few tips for a successful relationship with your carer.
Orientation: Take time to show your carer around your relative’s home (explain how to work the heating system, shower, washing machine/dryer, cooker, etc.) and go through what you expect the carer to do on a daily basis. Tell the carer what your relative likes to eat and when they normally have their meals. When do they normally get up and when do they go to bed. Do they take a nap during the day? What medication do they take and when, and what to do when medicine is running low. Give the carer a timetable and stick it on the fridge and tell her to use it as a reference throughout the day. Make it clear to the carer which day(s) she is off duty.
Introductions: Take time to introduce the carer to your relative. Sit together and have a cup of tea and a chat and give your relative and the carer the reassurance that they know you are available and that you are committed to making this work well for everyone. We’re in it together approach!
Settling in: Your carer needs time to adjust to her new role so give her time to settle in and find her feet. She would really appreciate it if you showed her the area, recommend nice places to visit and explain to her about public transport options. Make sure she saves your number in her phone. Make sure she knows the address of your relative’s home.
Keep your eye on the ball: Check in regularly with your carer to make sure everything is going well and ask her to feel free to ask you any questions. Keep the channels of communication open.
Early intervention: If things are not working out to your expectation, let ALHomecare know early so that we can try to get things back on track. Sometimes there can be simple misunderstandings that can be easily sorted out.
Read the contract: There is a lot of important and useful information in the contract. So please read it. If you have any questions about the contract terms & conditions, let ALHomecare know.
Dealing with the paperwork: Start the process of registering as your carer’s employer at the end of the first week of the placement and make sure your carer fills in her timesheets every week.
Read your family starter pack: Make sure you read through all the sections of your starter pack before your carer’s placement starts. If you haven’t received your starter pack, please email info@alhomecare.ie and we will send this to you.
Remember: This is a big step for your carer (and you). So please take time to settle her in and let us know if you need our help.
One main point of contact: Appoint one family member who will be the point of contact with the carer for dealing with work schedule, questions etc.
