To accommodate your family member's needs, you may want to consider rearranging some of your home furnishings. Our clinical managers can offer tips and suggestions.

You can keep your family member's  room cheery and friendly, and still have the necessary medical supplies within easy reach. Try stowing them in the types of colorful bins and drawers that you would often see in a kid’s room (plastic rolling bins with drawers or an over the door shoe organizer are great). Or how about wicker or soft-sided baskets?

It’s always a good idea to have more than one family member trained to provide care for your family member in the event of an unplanned need. Although we always make every effort to be at your home when expected, weather emergencies, illnesses, or other unforeseen situations can sometimes affect the coverage.

Remember that regardless of how many caregivers are part of your family member’s care team, you are still in charge of your home. Our caregivers are always mindful that they are guests in your home and that your preferences should be respected at all times.

Providing your family member’s caregivers with a list of “need to know” issues can be helpful. Don’t be shy about communicating your rules and expectations prior to your home care professional coming to your home. This will help create a positive environment for you, your family, and your home care professional. For example, where should they park? Where they can keep their lunch? What door should they use to enter? What restroom should they use? Where are supplies located? A dry erase board is a great way to help with communication and organization.

Please feel empowered to address any concerns with your home care professional. If you are not comfortable speaking directly your home care professional, please contact your client services manager or clinical manager.

Try to maintain your household routine as much as possible; keeping a sense of normalcy is important for all your family members.

Remember that you are still a family, with needs and desires just like any other. As much as you can, try to find time for yourself and your family to do regular family activities. Get rest when you can. Arrange private time with your spouse, significant other, or other children.

Your Integrity care team is carefully selected with your family member and your family in mind, so let us know what makes your family unique. We make it a priority to match your family member with caregivers who are not only trained to provide the care they need, but who are most likely to fit with your family on a personal level as well.

To help you remember all the topics you want to discuss with their doctor at the next visit, try keeping a running list of questions. And don’t forget to bring any physician orders with you.