How to Create an Initial Care Plan for Your New In-Home Caregiver

Having a home care agency caregiver helping care for your loved one, is a wise decision.  One thing to consider is that there may be a couple of caregivers assigned to care for your loved one.  This is great, because if one calls in sick, or needs a day off, there are others to take their place at a moment’s notice.  However, having more than one caregiver requires good communication between themselves, you, and your loved one.  That’s why it’s important to have a written plan of care in place.

Initial Written Plan of Care

An initial plan of care can include care preferences and specific needs.  Some care preference questions to ask your loved one, and include on the care plan are:

• How often do you like to bathe? 
• Do you prefer baths or showers?
• Do you prefer bathing in the morning, or at night?
• Is it ok if a person of the opposite gender helps with bathing?
• What do you like to wear at home? When you go out?
• Do you like to exercise? How often?  What do you like to do for exercise?
• Do you like to go outdoors? Or do you prefer being inside, near a window?
• Do you like having some alone time?  If so, when and usually how long?
• What time do you like to go to bed?
• What time do you like to get up?
• Do you like breakfast before or after you’re dressed?
• What are your favorite TV shows?

Include in the written care plan a medication list, names and numbers of your loved one’s doctors, and family emergency contacts.  Also attach a copy of a calendar showing your love one’s appointments.

If your loved one is prone to unusual behavior, such as wandering at night, or becoming more forgetful in the evening, put this on the care plan too.

Care Plan as an Open Communication Tool

Leave the care plan in plain sight, and allow all who are involved in your loved one’s care add to it, or change it as necessary.  This care plan can serve as the hub of communication for your loved one’s care, if used and updated regularly.

What else would you add to the plan of care?

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