Thinking of staying in your own home with Live In Care? Here are three things to think about as you prepare.
A Room Of Their Own
Every live-in carer needs a room of their own. By giving your carer a private space, you also ensure that you keep control of the other spaces in your own home. Of course, your carer is there for you, ready to help with personal care, household tasks, meal preparation and anything else you need.
But they can also take a little personal time to refresh themselves. If you don’t have a spare bedroom, you might have to think creatively about how another room in your house such as a dining room might be adapted for use by your live-in carer.
Installing The Equipment You Need
You are responsible for installing the equipment your Live In Carer will use to help you go about your day. Think about whether or not a hoist, standing frame or bathing aid is needed before your carer comes to stay. If money is tight, charitable grants or local authority funding might be available to help you purchase the essentials.
Disabled facilities grants are available from your council if you need major work to adapt your home to meet your domestic care needs. This includes things like wet rooms, wash-dry toilets, wheelchair ramps or handrails.
The Right Person For The Perfect Fit
It's your home, so it's especially important that you feel comfortable with the person who comes to live with and care for you. As well as thinking about the physical things you and your carer will need, such as space in your fridge for their food, speak to your chosen home care services team about how you would like your carer to live ‘alongside’ you.
For instance, do you want them to eat their meals with you so that you can chat and build a good relationship? Do you have a much-loved pet? If so, choosing a carer who is also a pet-lover might really matter to you.