Your long term insurance plan will usually pay for caregiver training if you are planning on having a family member or friend being a primary caregiver. They will need to learn how to do basic tasks in a safe manner in order to prevent injury to both the patient and themselves. Caregiver training will usually include:
- How to property bathe the patient, as well as transferring them into and out of a bath or shower.
- How to properly transfer the patient in different situations including from a chair to a bed, in and out of a car, as well as a bath or shower as listed above.
- How to properly feed the patient and what diet restrictions they may have.
- How to help with dressing.
- How to properly administer medications.
- How to help with using the bathroom or with incontinence.
- How to aide a patient while standing, walking and sitting.
- How to provide pain management.
- How to prevent unsafe behavior and wandering.
- How to provide comfort and assurance or arranging for counseling if needed.
- How to manage appointments and scheduling.
- How to maintain the household and create a safe environment.
Caregivers have a lot of responsibility, so being trained on how to properly perform these tasks will take away the fear and allow the caregiver to focus solely on their time with their loved one.
