Caregiver Introduction: What to Do First When You Arrive at a New Senior Client's Home

Every senior caregiver has a first day on the job and a first day at a new client's home to begin caregiving services. You want to make a positive first impression and also organize your care plan duties in order to be able to schedule your day without missing any of the tasks.  Follow these steps and you will be off to a great start as a new caregiver.

• Review the Senior's Care Plan Carefully:  understand the medical conditions the person has and learn about their personal information before arriving at their home.

• Directions to the Client's Home:   Map out your trip and take the time to calculate the travel time required.  Know where you are going and how much time you should allow to arrive on time.  Plan ahead to arrive at the Client’s location at least 10 minutes before the start time.  If you will be taking a new public transportaion route, allow an extra 30 minutes of travel time on your first day since you will be learning the route.  Seniors are very focused on punctuality.  Don’t let your Client be nervous or anxious due to your tardiness.   They are usually anxious to see you each day and worry if their Caregiver is late.  

• Review Training Materials:  many senior home care agencies will provide you with "care briefs" detailing the client's health issues.  These comprehensive training modules can allow you to better understanding what conditions your client is experiencing and how to best care for them.  Review to allow your interaction and support to be meaningful and appropriate.

• Review Client's Interests:  learn about the senior client's interests.  Find out what kind of work they did and what hobbies they are interested in or what sport's teams they follow.  Think about any conversation starters or icebreakers you can use.  You may want to bring a small photo album or have pictures in your smart phone to share with them some of your interests and introduce them to your family members.  This will make them more comfortable about inviting you into their life.

• Dress Code:  your senior home care agency will provide you with a dress code.  Some agencies prefer for caregivers to wear scrubs and others allow you to wear khaki's and a comfortable polo shirt.  However, sometimes clients make special requests regarding the caregiver's uniform and jeans will be appropriate for some assignments.  Just follow your employer's dress code policy and ask your client to confirm your outfit is acceptable.  Stay away from clothing with words and minimize jewelry.  Neat grooming with clean clothing and well-kept shoes should be the standard you maintain while working as a caregiver.

• Arrive on Time:  Always have a policy of arriving 10 minutes early and you'll never be late.  Consider on-time arrival as late.  This will help you to have a few extra minutes in the event you need them, as seniors really do look forward to seeing you and become much upset quickly if you are late.  They are counting as you, since there are many things they can no longer count on as their health may be changing and their friends may be dying.

• Always Address the Senior Client by Their Last Name:  Maintain the professional formality of using the sir name and addressing them as Mr. Smith or Mrs. Smith, unless they ask you to call them by their first name or a nickname.

• Get Acquainted First:  Spend extra time, if needed, getting to know the client upon your introduction in order to help them feel relaxed.  Don't move into your caregiving tasks until you know they feel at ease. Remember that humor can be a wonderful icebreaker, especially if you are able to laugh at yourself.

• Care Plan Notebook:  Many senior home care agencies will have a care plan notebook to keep in the client's home.  Show this to the client and decide where you will keep it.  This allows family members to review how the senior is doing when they visit.

• Meal Planning:  If you will be preparing meals, discuss favorite foods and the meal schedule.  Learn about any diet requirements and medications that must be taken with meals.  If grocery shopping will be done, find out the schedule and who will be doing it so you can keep an updated grocery list.  Some agencies order food through Peapod or another online service to make it easy for everyone.  Understand the nutrition needs of the client - do they need to gain or lose weight?  Find out if there are any foods which cause digestion problems and should be avoided.

• Check Pantry:  Upon permission, check the cabinets and refridgerator to make sure there is no spoiled food and to make a grocery list.  Many times when seniors first need caregiving services, a thorough cleaning of the pantry is required.

• Emergencies:  Call 911 - discuss the action plan with your employer, should an emergency occur.

• Encourage Fluid Intake:  Sometimes when seniors are not as active they are not drinking enough water.  

• Make Care Plan Notes:  Most senior home care agencies will require a daily log of the client's activites. Review these on your first day so you will know what information is expected at the end of your shift.

Follow these basic guidelines and you will be off to a great start with your knew senior client as their new caregiver. You may also find Care Briefs on many age-related conditions and illnesses on Caregiverlist.  Conditions such as stroke, hip replacement, hearing loss, macular degeneration are all covered in a senior care brief and you can also find online caregiver training certificationin a 10-hour training program.