Our caregivers are dedicated professionals selected for their suitability for highly demanding work of in-home care. They can relieve an elderly person of their worries about burdening his or her own children with the frailties of aging. Our Live-in Caregivers are often widowed or divorced and in their middle years with their children grown and living independent lives. Many of our caregivers have a professional medical background or have personal experience in caring for elderly loved one of their own families.
Ways to minimize and make all the placement process less stressful:
- Make sure the caregiver's room is cleared of all family belongings, and is ready to serve as their own space within the home. We strongly suggest providing TV or radio and phone extension in the caregiver's bedroom. The room should be furnished with a bed and a good mattress, a dresser and a chair at minimum.
- The person to be cared for may resist or deny the need for live-in assistance. If so, it is important that family or friends be on hand to help with this important transition
- Home should be clean and in good repair. Please consider to hire a cleaner, if necessary, to have the house as clean and organized as possible for your caregiver's arrival.
- Have someone take the time to show your caregiver around the neighborhood. Making your caregiver become familiar with the surrounding environment also helps her or him plan outings and activities for your loved-one if appropriate.
- Caregiver should have an adequate budget to buy grocery and household items.
- If person to be cared for cannot be left alone for even a portion of an hour (Alzheimer patient), it is important that family, friends or social workers be scheduled. Everyone needs relief time when they can leave the premises to exercise, keep personal affairs in order and to simply recharge themselves for their emotionally demanding work.
- It is important that the caregiver has contact information and access to any doctors or other medical professionals the person under their care is seeing. Caregivers should be encouraged to communicate with the doctor and family members whenever needed. A full disclosure of any and all medical conditions and diagnosis's are necessary to allow the caregiver to provide the best possible service.
- Encourage the caregiver to discuss working conditions with you and your family. Communication is very important and promotes better relationship.
- Caregivers thrive when they feel their work is appreciated and that salary increases are possible. An end-of-the year bonus is thanks for a job well done and encouragement to stay on.
- Decline of health in the person requiring care will increase your caregiver's workload, especially if there is sleep disruption. You should be prepared to hire extra help and raise the salary of the live-in caregiver as decline sets in and his or her workload increases.
- A caregiver should be compensated if the person needing care is hospitalized. If the hospital stay is lengthy, some negotiation of pay is needed.
- In the event of the passing on or relocation of your loved one, it is very common to provide severance pay to the caregiver. We suggest at least two weeks caregiver’s salary. Often, the caregiver may be asked to stay on until the estate is settled. They might be assigned to organize and prepare the home for eventual sale or transfer to heirs, and/or to provide security of the home.
