How do I prepare the home for a carer?

There are some important steps to take to ensure your carer has a comfortable environment in which to live and work. 

Getting their room ready

Ensure the carer’s room is clean, and the bed has been made up with fresh linen. They’ll need a wardrobe or chest of drawers to store their things too. A TV, while not strictly necessary, can help them to feel more at home.

Bathroom access 

If they’re sharing the family bathroom, there should be somewhere for them to store toiletries. Provide clean towels for them to use too. 

WiFi access 

If you don’t have WiFi, it’s worth setting up a connection so that your carer can access the Elder platform, especially in areas where the mobile signal is poor. Ensure the network and login information is displayed clearly in the home.  

Get your insurance in check 

Inform your loved one’s home insurance company that a live-in carer is moving in, in case this impacts on the insurance. If you or your loved one has a car that the carer can use, ensure they’re added to the cover before they arrive. 

Store valuables appropriately

Keeping cash and valuable items somewhere secure can avoid misunderstandings, especially if your loved one has dementia and gets confused about where things are.

Check appliances are working 

Things that your carer will use often, such as the oven, washing machine, and vacuum cleaner should be in good working order. 

Decide on how expenses will be managed 

Some families provide petty cash and ask the carer to keep receipts. Alternatively, you may prefer to set up a separate bank account with a debit card that the carer can use. 

Meet and greet 

A lot of families like to be there on the day their carer arrives to meet the carer in person. This can help your loved one feel more comfortable with the arrangement too. Being there when the carer arrives also gives you an opportunity to show them around the home, highlight where important things are kept, and have a chat over a cuppa to help them feel welcomed.  If there are any rooms in the home that the carer won’t need to access, for example if someone who doesn’t need care lives in the property, be sure to point these out too.