Caregiving is a demanding job, not only on a caregiver’s physical health but for their mental and emotional side as well. Many caregivers are focused on their client’s well-being, so much so that they often neglect their own health, often leading to burnout. As a client or family member of a client, we want to help families understand how to communicate and show appreciation for their caregiving team. Not surprisingly, we are less likely to see burnout and turnover if the caregivers feel appreciated and respected. Below are some ways for you, as the client, to help make life for your caregiver a little less strenuous, which can be beneficial to both of you.
Invite them to eat with you. Caregiving can be isolating and lonely. Cooking and eating is often a social event, so if you’re able, invite your caregiver to eat with you. Although sometimes an extra expense if you need to prepare meals for 2 people, the payoff will be worth it in the long run. This is a great opportunity for you two to bond and get to know one another.
Keep them moving. Caregivers want to be active throughout their shifts. Most times, they don’t like to sit around and feel like they aren’t adding value. Whether it’s something around the house or doing something for you, don’t feel bad asking your caregiver for help. They know they are there for a set number of hours and intend on making the most of it! Find things for them to do so that they can make the most out of your time, as well as theirs.
Have patience. This is especially true when you might have a fill-in caregiver who is not used to, or up to date on, your specific daily regimen. Be patient with them as they will not be as familiar with your needs/schedule. Also, please keep in mind that they are there to help you and are doing the best they can to make life easier for you.
Show gratitude. Some appreciation can go a long way with your caregiver. Saying “please” and “thank you” may not seem like much, but it can make a great difference. Not everyone is incentivized by gifts and money – sometimes, a hand-written thank you note can go a long way! When working with an agency like For Papa’s Sake Home Care, we try to recognize caregivers that go above and beyond. So, if you are grateful for a job well done, let our office know and let us recognize the caregiver on your behalf! But all in all, displaying a form of appreciation will let your caregiver know that they are doing a good job.
Give clear directions. Detailed and clear expectations allow your caregiver not to second guess their work. If they aren’t doing something the way you’d want it, let them know so they can adjust their methods. Some clients are nervous about providing feedback but don’t fret; caregivers want feedback.
Provide feedback. Let your caregiver (or our office) know how they are doing. Provide them with constructive feedback in a positive way. They want to hear what they are doing right or wrong in order to make you happy. And if they are doing something wrong or incorrectly, this allows them to find a way to correct it!
Get to know your caregiver. At For Papa’s Sake Home Care, our priority is the care of our clients. Sometimes building a relationship with caregivers isn’t what the client is interested in. And that’s OK! But, In the event you want to try and build a relationship with your caregiver, we recommend it. A caregiver that has a strong relationship with their client is less likely to miss a shift or leave the client. This may take time and some effort, but it can help with communication between the two of you. It can also make daily life easier.
Know their role. This is always a gray area when discussing with clients. For Papa’s Sake’s caregivers are not housekeepers but happy to help with light housekeeping. What defines light housekeeping, you ask? Great question! This is always difficult to define because each client’s home and needs are different. We try to discourage caregivers from washing windows, scrubbing tubs and toilets, and any other “tough” work that requires heavy-duty cleaning. Vacuuming, dusting, organizing, and cleaning the kitchen after preparing a meal are certainly on the table though. Because many people can misconstrue the definition of “light,” for our purposes, the caregiver’s job is to keep the house tidy and clutter-free. They are more than just “housekeepers.” They are home health and personal care aides. Being mindful of this can allow life with your caregiver to run more smoothly.
At the end of the day, our caregivers want to do their best to make your life a little bit easier. By doing little things such as saying ‘thank you’ and letting them know they are doing a great job, as well as offering constructive feedback if you see areas for improvement, you can help improve their job satisfaction which will lead to a long client-caregiver relationship.
