If you have an elderly, disabled or sick relative, you could opt to transfer them from a hospital or specialised facility to your home. Home care benefits family members since it is cheap and gives them 24/7 access to their loved ones. While the home care concept seems easy on paper, it has a few caveats. Below is an exhaustive extract of how to organise home care for your loved one. 

Make Your Home Comfortable

Is your home comfortable for your loved one? Most homes are built to accommodate healthy and independent individuals. Therefore, it would be worthwhile considering some minor renovations to make your loved one comfortable. For instance, you could install wheelchair ramps and lower the shelves and power outlets. Moreover, you could consider bathroom renovations such as installing grab-bars, anti-slip mats and disability-friendly toilets. 

Create A Patient-Centred Care Plan 

Often, family members enjoy taking care of their loved ones. However, they do not consider the patient's needs. As such, they often provide care based on their assumption of the person's needs. In other cases, they will replicate care plans based on research or preconceptions of what home care should look like. However, DIY home care may not entirely address the patient's needs.

Creating a patient-centred plan is the best approach to home care. Typically, you need to meet with previous caregivers and doctors and interview your loved one to establish their needs. For example, the physiotherapist could inform you about the most effective exercises. On the other hand, doctors and previous caregivers could give insights into keeping the patient comfortable. Finally, your loved one can inform you about their needs and preferences. For example, they could dislike certain foods since they give flatulence. Moreover, they might want to socialise with other seniors during the weekends. This information will help you create a patient-centred plan. 

Consider Professional Help

A challenge you will face as a first-time caregiver is a lack of experience. For instance, you might not know how to lift the patient or turn them in bed. Moreover, you could have trouble bathing them or administering the various medications. In this case, you should hire a caregiver to provide homecare and train you on how to take care of your loved one. You may think that professional caregiving services are expensive. However, you can get free or discounted caregiving services from service providers registered under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Remember to vet your caregiver to ensure they are the right fit for your loved one and family.