Helping Your Aging Parent Connect With Their New Caregiver
As the famous saying goes, you never have a second chance to make a first impression, and that can also be true of the initial introduction between an aging parent and their professional caregiver. Many adult children worry about how Mom or Dad will respond when their new caregiver arrives on the first day of the job. Will Mom approve? Will Dad speak up? Will the new caregiver be a good fit for our family?
These are all common questions we at Visiting Angels Fond du Lac hear from families exploring our home care services. That’s why we take great care in getting to know potential clients and complete a full assessment so that nothing is overlooked before our services begin. We then schedule interviews with several of our professional caregivers whom we feel would be a great fit for your aging parent, giving your parent the choice to pick the caregiver that makes them feel the most comfortable. Our caregivers undergo a comprehensive interview process, which includes a background and criminal history check so that our clients can have full peace of mind that a trusted person is entering their home to assist them with personal tasks.
Yet, even though we go to great efforts to match our clients with caregivers who share similar interests and personalities, adult children play a significant role in helping their aging parent connect with their new caregiver. Here are a few practical ways you can ensure your parent’s relationship with their new caregiver starts off on the right foot.
Highlight Your Parent’s Interests
One way adult children can help their aging parents connect with their new caregiver is to highlight their parents’ interests. Leave their favorite games visible on the coffee table, put a few photo albums out to help the caregiver initiate conversation, or leave a note highlighting what Mom or Dad enjoys doing currently. You might also consider creating a hobby basket and filling it with activities your parent and caregiver can do together.
Suggest Outings
Another way to help your parents connect with their caregivers is to suggest fun outings they can do together. Sometimes, changing the environment can help foster the client/caregiver companionship by creating meaningful moments shared between the two parties. Write down a list of Mom or Dad’s favorite places to go grab a coffee, such as Lavish Coffee or Just Love Coffee Cafe. Suggest other outings Mom or Dad might enjoy, such as a trip to a museum, the Fond du Lac Theater, or the Fond du Lac Senior Center.
Know When to Leave
Sometimes the best thing adult children can do to help foster a relationship between their aging parents and new caregivers is to give them space to get to know one another. While it’s perfectly okay for adult children to be present while our caregivers are there assisting, consider this an opportunity for you to tackle your to-do list or make time for yourself. Greet the new caregiver and make sure everything is all set, then leave. If Mom or Dad insists on you staying, bring something else to work on in another room where you’re out of the way. Use the time to research other local resources available to older adults and family caregivers through the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Fond du Lac County. This can help your aging loved one develop a companionship with their caregiver instead of them relying on you to initiate conversation or communicate their preferences.
Reinforce Positivity
Lastly, when adult children reinforce positivity, they significantly help their aging parents connect with their new caregivers. As much as you can, encourage positive talk about their caregiver experience. Ask about meaningful moments Mom or Dad had with their caregiver or something new they learned from their caregiver. Remind your parents to keep an open mind, to look on the bright side, and to extend grace in those first few visits when everyone is still trying to get to know one another.
Visiting Angels Fond du Lac has seen firsthand the positive impact our caregivers have had on seniors in the local community. Seniors who previously struggled to remain safe and independent in their own homes or who were perhaps socially isolated due to chronic health conditions are currently thriving in their golden years. We strongly believe that our caregivers are the cream of the crop. We make great efforts to hire only those who show deep compassion and empathy for the elderly and want to make a difference in the lives of older adults. When a new client begins receiving our in-home care services, we create a detailed care plan that communicates care needs, preferences, and routines so that our caregivers are well-equipped to provide care specifically as requested. As care needs change, we can adapt them to meet ongoing care needs. If it’s time for your aging parents to start receiving in-home care services, look no further than Visiting Angels Fond du Lac. To learn more, contact us today by calling 920-375-5555.