How Home Health Care Helped My Mom

How To Improve Communication With Home Senior Care Services

by Stanley Pierce

When you have a loved one getting in home senior care, communication with any care providers is essential to good care. If your loved one is not able to communicate effectively, a journal can have a big impact on the continuity of their care. If your family member receives around the clock care, what goes on during each shift should be documented for the next person. There should be a calendar that is easily accessible to all providers, and a way for any caregiver to contact you in the event of an emergency. When you want to know that your loved one gets the best in home senior care possible, it's important to put a focus on communication.

Set Up a Daily Journal

If you want to know what is going on day to day with the care of your family member, set up a daily journal for communication. This can be used for each caregiver to relay what is going on for the next shift, and also used for you to communicate with members of the care team. If you have any concerns or praises, share them in the journal with those that are caring for your loved one.

Create an Accessible Call List

Anyone in the home of your senior should know exactly who to call in the event of an emergency. You should have a call list that is in an obvious place, easily visible to anyone who needs it. Your number should be prominent, and it's important to let care providers know to contact you if they have questions. Good care in the home begins with solid communication between providers and the family.

Ask to Meet with Providers

The agency hiring caregivers for your loved one will be happy to introduce you to any provider that goes into the home. Ask to meet with providers before they are left with your loved one if you feel that it is necessary. This can help ease the transition into meeting a new caregiver, and gives you the time to show a new person around the home. Set your expectations and don't be afraid to ask questions if you have them.

When you have a family member receiving in home senior care services, communication is essential. You have the right to know what is going on in the home, and you can visit anytime you have a concern about the care that is being given. Contact a service, like Home Helpers Dallas, for more information.

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