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Live-In Home Care in Memorial, TX: Companions Need Good Communication with Family. Here are Some Tips.

Many families consider hiring a home care companion to assist with some of the needs that their elderly loved one may have. They know that their loved one needs help with easy tasks around the home and should not be left alone all of the time, but they feel that it has not progressed to be bad enough to send them to an assisted living facility yet. If you have decided to hire a home care companion for your loved one, it is vital that you keep the lines of communication open with them to ensure that they fully understand the job that they must do. Here are some things that you can communicate with your loved ones home care companion so that you and they are on the same lines.

Live-In Home Care in Memorial, TXLet Them Know Expectations

When you are first hiring a home care companion, it is important that you let them know what your expectations are. Do not just hire them and expect that they are going to know right away what you want them to do. Are you expecting them to just come and spend a few hours with your loved one each day or are they supposed to be there all day? Do they help with light housekeeping, giving medications, transportation, or some other chores that must be done? Sit down with them right away and come to an agreement on the types of things that will need to be done while they are with your loved one.

Changes in Routine

There are times when the routine of your loved one may get messed up and it is important to let the home care companion know about it. Perhaps your loved one is going to stay with a family member for a few weeks or the doctor wants them to start seeing a physical therapist. Let the home care companion know about this right away. Anything that might require the home care companion to not come by for a couple weeks or that will require them to take your loved one to a new appointment will need to be discussed right away. How is the companion supposed to get your loved one to a new doctor if they do not know anything about the doctor in the first place?

Changes in Medicine

As your loved one get older, it is natural for them to be put on more medications by their doctor. Let your home care companion know about any changes in your loved ones medication, whether it is a new medication completely or if the dosage is being changes. This can be really important if the home care companion is assisting with the distribution of the medication. Also, let them know if there are any new side effects or even mood changes that might come up as a result of the changes in medication so that they are able to watch out for those as well.

If you have a loved one who could benefit from the help of live-in home care services in Memorial, TX contact the caregivers at At Your Side Home Care. We help seniors and their families with many levels of home care service. Call (832) 271-1600 for more information.

Donna Wrabel, LMSW

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