This was an idea that has been developed with my family and I for my Grandma. She has started needing carers and to help them to care for her, I put together a poster for the wall where all the important stuff is fully visible.

I can imagine how difficult it must be for carers to come in and try and get everything done in 30 mins - making sure the person is ok, meds given, food and drink sorted etc. and then doing it all over again with someone else. But from recent experience, common sense and general good hygiene seems lacking with some in this line of work.

The poster has gone through several versions now, with my Mum creating one to now -constantly updating and adding to as my Grandma's needs change.

I decided to formalise this idea and create a template for others to perhaps use if they found it of benefit. I've also got in touch with the local AgeUK, just in case they don't already have something like this for people to make sure people know who they are.

Anything to help people feel individual and have a sense of control over strangers coming into their home to look after them.

Information About Me

The idea for this was to have a poster with all the relevant information there on the wall - perhaps near the kettle or sink when the carer is there trying to get all their tasks done.

They might be the small things that make a big difference - such as how a person likes their tea of coffee (I know what I am like if my cuppa isn't made the right way!). If their favourite brew isn't done how they like it, they might not drink it, and so not take enough liquids in - causing dehydration and making them more prone to infections and other side effects.

So this poster can include the basics of each visit (I really can't imagine ever carer reads the care plan every visit), what the person likes, dislikes and if there are any important things about that person.
 

Food and Drink

This sheet was for the front of the fridge and was so that carer knew what there could be to prepare for a meal. The weekly chart could be to set out a menu for each day, or write down what goes out of date so when it should be eaten by.

Personalisation

These sheets could be decorated to however a person wants as well - their favourite colours, flowers, animals, football team. Anything to show their individuality and couls be a starting point of conversation between them and the carers too.