Schedule to Visit a Caregiver
Holidays like Easter and Passover can bring families together. These can be happy, memorable times.
If you are visiting a caregiver’s home during these holidays, here are a few tips to make your visit more comfortable and unique for you and those you are visiting.
1. Schedule to visit with a caregiver and stay for a period that does not stress babies, children, or the caregiver and care–receiver.
When you go to see someone, think about their health, how alert they are, and how long they can stay up.
2. Bring food, maybe a main dish or some side dishes. Please don’t expect someone who cares for someone every day to make a full home-cooked meal and entertain you.
Take the time to call and ask what others would like to eat, considering any special diets. Make mealtime easy. Use paper plates and napkins. Pick up immediately after the meal. Clear the table.
Help clean up the kitchen. Take the trash out for the caregiver. Let everyone in your family, even the kids, know that their help is needed and appreciated.
3. Don’t bring up controversial, unpleasant, or serious subjects during your visit. Keep the conversation positive, cheerful, and affirming. No smoking or drinking in the house unless the host permits it.
4. If you bring children with you, ask them to be considerate of house rules where they visit and to be extra courteous and thoughtful during their visit.
Children should use their indoor voices and not wander the house or handle the host’s belongings or pets without permission.
5. When you visit a caregiver, only plan to stay the weekend or overnight unless you are invited and intend to help the caregiver with nighttime caregiving routines, such as bathing, medication administration, and bedtime routines.
6. Bring something entertaining for the caregiver and care-receiver that they may enjoy looking at and discussing with you.
A photo album of old family photos, a video or DVD of some show they might like, a hometown newspaper, and photos of the grandkids are good conversation starters.
7. Leave a good memory behind: flowers, a card, a magazine. Make a phone call thanking them afterward.
Visit a Caregiver and enjoy your treasured time together!