How to Prep for Private Home Care

Home care makes your life safer and easier, but preparation can help create a safe and welcoming environment to reduce stress and make the transition to private home care run more smoothly. A vital element of this process is assessing existing risks, identifying what needs to be improved and determining ways to prevent your loved one from wandering if they are suffering from memory loss, Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Our experienced team can assist you with determining the changes that need to be implemented before your loved one starts their home care plan. We will assess the home, make recommendations specific to your situation, and create an individualized transition plan that is tailored to your needs. Depending on your circumstances, the following recommendations may benefit your loved one.

Tips for Private Home Care Prep:

• Slip and fall precaution. To avoid falls, keep floors and walkways free of clutter. Put nightlights in the bedroom, hall and bathroom.  Use bathmats and throw rugs with rubber backing to avoid slipping, tripping or falling. Make sure there is sufficient lighting to illuminate outdoor walkways at night.
• Bathroom safety. If needed, install grab bars and anti-scald faucets in bathrooms, showers and tubs. Also, place non-slip bath mats, a shower bench and a handheld showerhead for additional safety. If possible, install a walk-in shower or tub.
• Bedroom safety. If you’re installing bed rails, check with the manufacturer to make sure they are compatible with your loved one’s mattress and bed frame. Take the time to have them properly installed. Put a waterproof cover over the mattress to make accidents easier to clean up. Lastly, keep gloves and cleaning supplies on hand for private home care staff to be able to easily clean-up in case of said accidents.
• Remove valuables and jewelry. This will prevent your loved one from misplacing them or wrongly accusing a caregiver, friend or family member of stealing. Make sure valuables are kept in a secure place such as a fireproof safe.
• Fire protection. Install an automatic shut-off switch on the stove and put fire extinguishers in the kitchen and other areas of the home. Smoke detectors that vibrate and have strobe lights as well as sound can alert your loved one if there’s a fire. Install carbon monoxide detectors with a high sensitivity rating and consider putting in motion sensors and other security features that can keep your loved one safe as well.
• Safety for Wanderers. If your loved one tends to wander, buy a medical alert bracelet that states your loved one’s name, address, phone number and any medical issues he or she has in case they do wander out of the house, making it easier for someone to identify your loved one and get in contact with you. Also, take a photograph so if he or she does become lost, you have a recent photo on hand to show police.
• Install or remove locks. To prevent your loved one from locking him- or herself in, remove locks on interior doors. However, you will want to lock all cabinets where medicine, cleaning supplies, chemicals or other dangerous items.

Contact Home Care Book for Your Private Home Care Questions

The tips above can give you peace of mind and help your loved one’s private home care transition. Contact us at (214) 377-0711 if you have additional questions or would like to receive a free home care quote.