5 Tips for a great relationship with your in-home caregiver

How to work with a caregiver

Booking a Helper or private in-home caregiver means inviting someone new into your life, whether it’s for short term or long term caregiving and support. As a relationship, in-home care is unique because it’s both professional and personal.

The Helper relationship brings so many benefits, but occasionally challenges too, as you’re getting used to having someone new in your life. But, by following a few best practices you can get things started on the right foot.

In this article, we’ll go over the following five caregiver relationship tips:

1. Set expectations
2. Communicate clearly
3. Partner in care
4. Pay attention to the home environment
5. Show appreciation

Maintain a positive relationship with your Helpers by following these practices, so you can increase trust, reduce stress, and most of all, keep your focus on the quality of your loved one’s wellbeing.

Tip 1: Set expectations for your caregiver

Setting and communicating your expectations is the first step in empowering your Helper to succeed. If they know what you’re asking them to do, they can fulfill or even exceed your expectations. This helps both parties feel confident about the relationship.

If you’re booking a Helper or exploring in-home care for the first time, you may not know what your expectations are. Take a little time to assess what kind of help you need, when you would like support, and what the Helper can accomplish in that time. Here are a few questions to help you determine your expectations for your Helper:

• What do I need this Helper to do?
• Are there any tasks that I would like them to prioritize?
• What is a need versus a preference?
• Am I giving them enough time to accomplish what needs to be done?

Share these expectations with your Helper through chats before you book them. Then review expectations at the beginning of your time together, giving your Helper a chance to ask questions if needed.

If you’re working with a very experienced Helper, they can often make helpful suggestions about in-home caregiving. This kind of conversation demonstrates respect for your Helper’s time and skills and allows you to take advantage of their expertise.

Learn more about what kind of services your Helper can provide.

Key takeaways for setting expectations for your caregiver:

• Create a to-do list with the tasks that you need your Helper to take care of.
• Use the chats feature on the Herewith mobile app to communicate with your Helper, creating accountability and transparency for both of you.

Tip 2: Communicate clearly about caregiving services

Communicating with your Helper, especially if you’re booking in-home care on behalf of a long distance family member, can feel like a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Setting your expectations in advance by chatting on the Herewith app is not only helpful, but necessary.

How to improve communication with your in-home caregiver

On Herewith, you can use chats to make sure you and your Helper are on the same page, even before you book them. Learn more about how to chat with Helpers, plus a few helpful do’s and don’ts.

In the field of in-home care and home help for seniors, different situations and needs sometimes arise, causing stress or confusion.

Communication tips to set both you and your Helper up for success:

• If you’ve booked care for a loved one, keep your phone within reach and notifications on in case your Helper has a question or concern while they’re working
• If your expectations aren’t met, ask questions to get clarity rather than making assumptions
• Stay open to suggestions, especially from experienced Helpers who provide ongoing help
• Be flexible to change; sometimes, even when you have clearly expressed an expectation, your Helper may need to make an adjustment based on the needs of the moment
• Treat your caregiver with professionalism and respect
• Communicate clearly and double-check that everyone is on the same page
• Show your appreciation for a job well done and encouragement on those tough days

Key takeaways for good communication with in-home caregivers:

• Communicate calmly and clearly
• Provide information in advance and follow-up if necessary
• Establish your preference for sharing information. For example, ask your Helper to message you about your loved one’s moods or any symptoms that need monitoring after their shift.
• Create a detailed plan to let your Helper know who to contact and what to do in case of an emergency.

Tip 3: Partner in care by working together as a team

Together you, your Helper, and your family and friends make up a team that works together to help and care for your loved one. Helpers can bring essential knowledge and skills that others on your team may not have, so it is helpful to check in with them regularly for updates on how things are going with your loved one.

Key takeaways for strong partnership with your in-home caregiver

• Search for Helpers that have experience in the areas of care you need for the best experience
• Let your Helper know if you want something done differently or need to make an adjustment.
• Be open, yet respectful, about changes. Listen to what your Helper has to say, and try to be receptive to their ideas too.
• Keep your loved one’s needs and preferences in mind as much as possible when making group decisions about their care

For a deeper discussion on making decisions about in-home care with your family, visit our article on planning for senior care with your parents.

Tip 4: Pay attention to the home environment where care takes place

Your loved one’s home is their personal space, whether it’s a room in an assisted living facility, a condo in a retirement community, or a house they’ve owned for decades. However, once a Helper arrives, it is also a place of work.

It’s important to make sure your Helper feels welcome and can access the items they need throughout their shift to provide the best care possible for your loved one. Running out of cleaning supplies or an understocked fridge may mean it’s time to add a weekly task for your Helper to purchase those items.

If your loved one has memory care needs, you may want to consider additional steps to keep your loved one safe and to give your Helper a good environment to provide care. Learn more about how to create a supportive environment for people with dementia.

Key takeaways for caregiving in the home environment:

• Assess the safety of the environment, taking into account cleanliness, tripping hazards, pets, and any accessibility needs
• Determine what supplies might be needed
• Always let your Helper know if there will be pets on the premise
• Check in with your Helper regularly and make sure they have what they need for a successful day of care

Tip 5: Show appreciation for your caregiver

The work that Helpers do is rewarding, but it can come with challenges. The simple act of saying thanks or offering words of encouragement can make all of the difference in a Helper’s day. And that positive attitude will carry through to the care they provide for your loved one.

Key takeaways for showing appreciation

• Kind words go a long way to building a successful, trusting bond with your Helper
• Rebook the same Helper again if you really enjoyed working with them
• Check in often to make sure they have what they need to be successful

Caregiver relationship success: Finding a great match

A trusting relationship with an in-home caregiver starts with finding a great match. On Herewith, you can customize your Help Requests to include all your personal preferences to set you on the path to finding the right caregiver for your needs. Choose from 100% background-checked, insured local caregivers with detailed profiles showcasing their skills, experiences, and certifications, then chat before booking to conduct your own vetting and interviews. Learn more about flexible, affordable in-home care services from Helpers on Herewith.