September 13, 2021
Personal caregivers come to your own home to provide services rather than you going to them. This gives peace of mind to you and your family knowing that your senior is safe at home being taken care of.
In-home caregivers can be any of the following:
- Registered Nurses
- Physical Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Certified Nurse Assistants
- Licensed Practical Nurses
- Speech Therapists
- Companions
- Home Health Caregivers
- Personal Care Caregivers
So you found the caregiver that best fits your needs. But how do you develop a strong relationship with them?
Strong Communication is Key
A key component to creating a strong relationship with anyone, and most importantly your in-home caregiver, is communication.
Remember: Communication works both ways!
It is important for the caregiver to communicate their expectations and role in the relationship, and it is also important for you to share your own expectations.
Building trust, listening intently, and having patience can greatly improve communication skills from both parties.
Building a Relationship with Your Caregiver
Try thinking of this relationship as a friendship.
Like the formation of any relationship, friendships can develop from being put into a situation with other people. This can be as simple as having classmates at school. Though your in-home caregiver is providing a service, it is still possible for a friendship to flourish.
Think of your in-home caregiver as a companion. Approaching your caregiver as you would another friend gives your relationship the ability to grow.
When thinking of what to discuss with your caregiver when they are in your home, you should think of it as a conversation that you would have with a family member or close friend.
For instance, some topics of discussion can include:
- Childhood of the caregiver and client (their hometown, school, etc.)
- Hobbies
- Favorite shows, movies, games, books, or sports
Similar to other relationships, some topics should generally be avoided. For certain topics, it is common for people to have vastly different opinions that can put stress on relationships.
Those topics include:
- Politics
- Money or earnings
- Sexuality
- Race
- Religion
Friendships are formed when there is not much stress put on the relationship itself. Keeping the conversations lighthearted, fun, and informative can help develop a stronger relationship with your caregiver!
Key Takeaway: The start to a good relationship could stem from a good conversation!
Accessible Home Health Care’s Expert Caregivers
Choosing the right in-home care provider can be tricky, and even if you find the right match, forming a bond can take time. We hope that these tips and tricks on how to communicate and form a relationship with your in-home caregiver help you along your journey.
At Accessible Home Health Care, together we match you with the caregiver that we mutually agree on is best for your needs through our Access Match Caregiver Program. We hope that our match-making skills will also provide you with a great relationship. You can read more about this program on the Accessible Caregiver page on our website. If you would like to move forward with Accessible Home Health Care as your in-home care provider, contact us now!
