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How to make a comfortable home for a live in carer

Written by Posted On Tuesday, 19 February 2019 03:17

Employing a live in carer involves providing them with somewhere to live as well as a job, and you will find it hard to attract good carers if you don’t put a bit of effort into making the home welcoming to them. Find out more at the Live in Care Hub about the benefits of live-in care and how it can help on a permanent or temporary basis (eg. when recovering from a stroke or major operation). This article will help you prepare for the care-givers arrival...

Prepare the bedroom

A live in carer lives in their client’s home, which means they need to be able to call it home themselves. The absolute bare minimum you need to provide is a bed in a separate room for them to sleep on, but of course, that’s not very welcoming and you may find your carer moves to a new appointment as soon as possible!

A single bed is fine, but it should have sufficient bedding that the carer can get comfortable. There should be a bedside table, ideally with a reading lamp and a socket for the carer to plug in their phone or accessories such as a hairdryer.

A small amount of storage space is needed for personal effects. Some carers move into their client’s home full-time and will, therefore, need a proper wardrobe and chest of drawers. This type of live in carer may also appreciate a lock on their door to allow them to assert their privacy when they are not on shift. If 24 hour care is required, then multiple carers will be needed, working on a rota to ensure all shifts are covered. They may not bring as many possessions with them but will still require a private space for sleeping.

In the bathroom

The perfect accommodation for live in carers includes an en-suite bath or shower-room, but for most clients, this is simply not possible. Access to a drawer or cupboard where they can store their toiletries away from those of their client can be useful. Make sure that the lock on the door works – the carer won’t want to be interrupted when they are using the room!

Finding their way around

It can be difficult trying to locate household items in an unfamiliar house, so consider providing labels on cupboards and drawers detailing the contents (these can be very helpful if the client is suffering from dementia too). Make a list of tasks such as when the bins need to be put out, where the recycling is kept, what days to expect deliveries of food or fuel and similar or put them on a calendar where they can be easily referenced.

Be welcoming

A live in carer is there to make your life easier – whether you are the client or the client’s family. Chat to them about their own likes and dislikes, their own families and experiences and be friendly! Finally, many carers will look after pets but not all like animals so be sure to tell the agency about furry companions

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Lawrence Blackwell

www.twitsguides.co.uk

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