Understanding Medical Issues

What If My Caregiver Isn't A Good Fit?

For many seniors, finding the right caregiver is a significant part of life. After all, if you receive home care you want to ensure that you have a professional caring for you that really cares and listens to your needs. If you don't feel like you have the right caregiver, you have different options to consider.

Try to Understand the Problem

One of the first things you should do is get to the heart of the problem right away. What exactly is wrong with this fit as a caregiver? Is the reason something you can control or remedy, or is this simply a clash of personalities? Often, you can address issues of procedure and communication in a clear and concise way, but this is not always the case.

When you discuss potential problems with your caregiver, it is smart to first gauge his or her response. You can decide if their response demonstrates they want to make changes that appeal to you or if you would be better off finding a new caregiver.

Manage Emotions

In any situation that involves medical care and health, it becomes easy to experience heightened emotion. You may realize that you feel sad, afraid, or anxious as a result of the events that have unfolded. During this time, you may find it helpful to rely on a social support system or to find methods of emotional support, like the services offered by a mental health therapist during this time.

Rather than becoming angry or upset, you would also do better to offer specific suggestions about ways your caregiver can improve. With direct feedback, you may be surprised at the results you receive.

Offer Honest References

If you feel bad about letting a caregiver go, you can always offer to provide them with honest references for their next step. This is good for cases in which you feel the caregiver was doing a good job and would provide great care to others, but you simply didn't mesh well in terms of personality.

When you understand the caretaker's role in your life, you can better determine what your next steps should be. If you don't get along with your caregiver, you may not be happy in other aspects of your life. After all, your caregiver will be there with you through many of life's trials, and you need to feel a sense of trust and reliance on this person. Contact a home care service for more help in finding the perfect provider.