When you decide to hire an in-home caregiver for your loved one, it’s normal to feel a mix of anxiety and relief. If you’ve been owning most of the caregiving responsibilities, it’s not uncommon to feel nervous about this transition while also being grateful that a professional caregiver can help lighten the load. Here's some helpful guidance to make the transition as smooth as possible for everyone. 

1. Decide what kind of care your loved one needs

A big part of finding a caregiver is defining what type of assistance best suits your loved one’s needs. This list of services for older adults living at home from the National Institute on Aging can help you determine what type of caregiver would be best. If your loved one (the care recipient) needs help with monitoring vitals and adjusting medication doses, that will often require a different type of caregiver than someone you hire to help your loved one run errands, make meals, or move around the home. 

2. Starting off on the right foot 

Finding a caregiver that you trust and one that you believe will get along with your loved one is always on top of mind. Asking for referrals from your loved one’s health care team, your friends, or trusted services such as your local Area Agency on Aging can help add more confidence during your search. Once you find a caregiver you and your loved one feel comfortable with, be clear about what duties and tasks you expect the caregiver to handle (the more detail, the better) and establish a clear schedule, working hours, and time off. You may also want to consider what expenses will be reimbursed, and what you’ll provide such as meals, transportation, etc. Also remember that there’s a difference between hiring a caregiver through an agency and hiring one on your own. If you choose the latter – especially if you’re paying the caregiver from a trust – here are some tips for doing so wisely. 

3. Prepare the home for a caregiver

Bringing a new person into the home is a good time to check off any safety upgrades you’ve been meaning to make, like adding a grab bar in the bathroom or installing a ramp outside the front door. There may also be day-to-day hazards you find yourself addressing out of habit, but a caregiver may not notice right away. Make a list of these things – sliding space heaters away from flammable objects, adjusting area rugs or extension cords so they aren’t tripping hazards, switching on lights before your loved one enters a dark room, etc. In some cases you may be able to address these before the caregiver arrives (e.g. replace the space heater with a safer alternative, remove area rugs/extension cords, or add motion detector night lights), other concerns should be shared with the caregiver in writing. 

It’s also a good idea to stock up on essentials such as medications and personal care items, as well as your loved one’s favorite foods. This helps make sure the caregiver has what they need and can help minimize bumps in the road as your loved one adjusts to their new routine. Additionally, be sure to ask the caregiver about items or equipment they expect you to provide, so you can have them in place from day one. 

4. Make the transition as smooth as possible

Start with a walk-through of the home so the caregiver knows where to find what they need for their job, and ask how you can support them as they start their new role. They likely have experience working with other new families, and may be able to offer their own advice on what can ease the transition. If your loved one is used to you being their caregiver, a sudden change in routine can be tough, especially for someone with memory loss or cognitive impairments. If your schedule permits, start out slowly, gradually bringing in the caregiver for longer periods of time. Be there with the caregiver at first if you can, to reassure your loved one that you’re still there for them and help the caregiver get settled into their job. 

5. Keep the lines of communication open

Schedule regular check-ins with the caregiver at an interval that feels right for you – usually more often at first. Ask how your loved one is adjusting, if the caregiver has questions or concerns, and if they notice any needed changes in routine or care. Be sure to check in with your loved one, too, discussing how they feel about the caregiver, if they’re getting everything they need, and whether there’s anything they’d like to be done differently. Listen to them and make them feel heard, even if you can’t honor every specific request. 

Also be clear with the caregiver that you want to know if they feel overwhelmed. Caregiver burnout is real (yes, even for professionals in this role), and if you’ve found someone your loved one appreciates, then you want to do whatever you can to keep them engaged and happy. Finding ways that you and your loved one can show appreciation to the caregiver can go a long way in building a strong and lasting working relationship. 

6. Make it easier for a caregiver to buy what your loved one needs

Many caregivers need to make purchases on behalf of those they care for – such as prescriptions, groceries, doctor copays, etc., but having to manage gift cards, cash, checks, and receipts every single day can also become cumbersome. With a True Link Visa® Prepaid Card, a caregiver can have the flexibility to buy what your loved one needs, and you can set spending rules for where and when the Visa card can be used and how much can be spent. You can even block access to cash withdrawals from ATMs or cash-back at the time of purchase. 

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Even though you're hiring a caregiver to provide support and companionship, your role as a family member remains vital and irreplaceable. The caregiver can assist with daily tasks and offer necessary professional care, but the emotional connection, love, and reassurance you provide to a loved one in need is unique and essential to your loved one's well being. Your presence and involvement will make a significant difference in their quality of life.

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