When you hire a professional caregiver to care for your aging loved one, the arrangement should feel anything but transactional. This is why it’s so important to work to develop a bond with your family member’s caregiver so that you can remain involved in their care, while gaining peace of mind that their physical and emotional needs are being met.
Take a look at just a few of the many reasons why you should want to build a friendship with your professional caregiver.
- The deeper the bond, the greater the quality of care.
It’s true in any facet of life. When you care deeply for someone, your level of care for them goes from feeling standard or “sterile” to feeling like a very own member of your family, who has known them all their life, is caring for your aging loved one. By investing in getting to know your family’s professional caregiver, you’re helping to increase the bond and level of care that family member receives.
- It can reduce turnover and maintain consistent care for your loved one.
Additionally, forming a bond with a caregiver, increases the health and happiness of your working relationship. Together you make it a favorable work environment that makes your caregiver look forward to coming to each day. When this is the case, you reduce turnover in your caregivers, giving your loved one stability and consistency in their care.
- You will reduce stress and worry when you’re away from your loved one.
Next, you will reduce your own stress and worry when you must be away from your loved one. When you’re out running errands, at work or enjoying some time to yourself, you won’t need to worry or feel guilty about what your loved one is doing. You’ll have peace of mind knowing they are with someone you trust, receiving the highest level of care.
- Because everyone deserves to feel like family!
Finally and most importantly, you should want to bond with your family’s professional caregiver because put yourself in their position. They are taking on emotionally and physically hard work to care for an aging adult. This work deserves thanks and appreciation. When you invest in forming a relationship with your caregiver, you’re showing them they are appreciated and viewed as a member of the family. This goes a long way in saying thanks, even if you don’t remember to say it every day.
Do you or someone you know use a professional caregiver? What steps have you or they taken to create a bond with this person? Share your insights and ideas by leaving a comment below.
