How can Family Resource help?
- If planning and preparing meals is part of a client’s care plan, caregivers will assist with all aspects of planning and preparing foods to their client’s preferences.
- During the initial assessment, the client (with input from family, if appropriate) will be asked about their likes, dislikes, mealtimes, and routine. This information is included in the client’s care plan.
- Our caregivers will take into account special diets (ie, low-sugar, low-sodium) and help adapt foods to meet the client’s needs.
- Depending on the needs and interests of the client, the caregiver may grocery shop with or without them.
- Depending on the number of shifts worked each week, our caregivers can cook daily meals or cook a larger item such as a soup or casserole and then divide it into portions to be frozen and reheated later.
- Clients who have enjoyed cooking or baking, but can no longer do so due to medical or cognitive reasons, can be encouraged to participate in the process by doing tasks to assist (washing veggies, mixing ingredients) while the caregiver does the rest.
- Caregivers will provide assistance at the table ranging from making the food look appealing on the plate to feeding clients who are unable to feed themselves. Cutting up food, getting utensil to mouth, providing cueing to remind the client to chew and swallow, and encouraging drinks of water between bites. These are just a few of the approaches we take to help our clients enjoy and get the most out of their meals.
- Following meal preparation, our caregivers will clean the kitchen, wash dishes, wipe down counters and appliances, sweep the floor, and take out the trash.
