A Fatal Mistake to Avoid in Home Care

Millions of American need care in their homes. Some are battling Alzheimer’s disease and/or a related dementia while others are dealing with medical fragility from other causes including catastrophic injury. People need help at home!

Home care companies – some skilled, some unskilled and some with departments for both – help to assure that those with limiting physical and mental circumstances can receive the help they need at home. This help could range from simple homemaking responsibilities for someone who cannot stand and balance their weight for lengthy periods of time to quadriplegics who require assistance with extensive personal care, wound management, intestinal system management and even feeding.

For the most part, these companies do a wonderful job protecting, caring for and nurturing those who need special assistance at home. As you continue to provide quality home care services, there is one fatal mistake you do not want to make.

What is that? Do not neglect having one, (1) uniform arrangement for regular staff development. This means that no matter whom you employ, you have one, (1) specific training program that each must complete. In this program must be clear essentials that govern:

Protocol to follow when in a client’s private home
Company policies governing every aspect of their decorum
How to protect a client’s privacy
Rules governing private company in a client’s home
Tips for efficient, thorough homemaking
Safety protocol affecting personal care in showers and tubs, usage of kitchens and floor management
Managing a client’s private medical information
Emergency procedures and responding to emergencies

You have to anticipate the kinds of situations that might occur and prepare your team for them with training and regular in-service sessions. The last thing you want is for a situation to arise and it is revealed that you did not make the effort to prepare staff to handle it. This can be especially detrimental if the client’s safety is compromised.

Some might reason: “I only hire people already trained.” This is flawed reasoning and not forward thinking. Your staff development routine must include training that you administer and control and whose progress and completion you are aware of. This includes live, in-person and on-line sessions.

Not preparing your staff in a uniform manner can be a fatal mistake. Its the kind of mistake you do not want to make.

Love to hear your thoughts.

_________________________________________________________

For more on our commitment to the success of community based care providers, join the LinkedIn.com Groups: