Your dad’s health has changed, and it’s time to address his need for help with hygiene and grooming tasks. Personal care at home is a service that helps with this, but you need to make sure your dad’s experiences go well.
He’s reserved and isn’t likely to be enthusiastic about others helping him. What will help his days spent with personal care aides go well?
Prepare Your Dad In Advance
Personal Care at Home Ridgefield, CT: Personal Care Aide Visit
Prepare your dad in advance so that you’re not taking him by surprise. This can be difficult if he has dementia, but do the best you can. Talk about when the caregiver will arrive, what is on the daily to-do list, and what is expected of your dad while the caregiver is there to help him.
Discuss what the caregiver is going to help him achieve. Make sure he knows the caregiver is there to support him to ensure he’s able to age at home without risking his health or safety.
Introduce Them and Stay There Until He’s at Ease
Don’t leave your dad alone with a new caregiver if he’s showing signs of anxiety. Work from his den or quiet room. He may be calmer knowing you’re in the home. Stay out of the way and let the caregiver work, but if your dad is becoming difficult and help is needed, you’re there to help out.
Eventually, you’ll be able to leave the home. Try a few hours at first and work your way to an entire day. Once he’s comfortable for a full day, you can leave him alone with his caregiver and have peace of mind that he’s okay.
Have Necessary Supplies Ready
Make sure the items a caregiver needs when helping your dad with hygiene and grooming are on hand. If he requires a specific type of shaving cream, make sure you have it. If it’s out, he may become upset and that makes it harder for the caregiver.
Check that there is a shower seat if he cannot stand for long. Grab bars are important for support as he stands up or sits down. If you haven’t invested in a shower seat or grab bars, it’s something you should consider.
Your dad’s favorite skin care products need to be available. If his caregiver has to use a body wash, shampoo, or skin cream that he doesn’t like, he may blame the caregiver for doing things wrong. Eliminate this issue by making sure the caregiver has everything your dad prefers available.
Work with a personal care at home specialist to go over suggestions for making visits from caregivers less stressful. They have plenty of other tips to share thanks to years of experience with clients from different backgrounds and with varying health issues. Trust in their advice to ensure things go well.
