What a great thought to have the live-in carer sit down with the client for an enjoyable meal every day through the placement. Nice thought, but often it does not work out this way. 

There are several reasons for this being a stressful time but it is one thing that will cause a lot of grief when the carer has a food allergy of some sort.

While many clients may be unaware of the allergy and focus on their own meal, it can lead to endless discussions and even awkwardness when the carer eats a different meal to the client.

What are food allergies?

The list of food allergies is long, and some food allergies are more common than others. I’m sure most people know at least one person who has a nut allergy. 

While this is one of the more blatant allergies, there are literally hundreds of other foods that people can be allergic or at least sensitive to.

Any food allergy or sensitivity will trigger unpleasant reactions, some which may need emergency treatment.

Symptoms of food allergies

• Respiratory reactions such as runny nose, wheezing, coughing, sneezing.

• Skin reactions such as swelling and rash.

• Gut reactions such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pains.

What to do about your food allergy

Even before you accept a placement it is important that your agency is aware of your food allergy, exactly as if you could not tolerate being in a home of a smoker. If you do not work through an agency, then you owe it to yourself to discuss with the family before you start work.

Food allergies are often played down in the hope that the person who has them will just ‘deal with them and get on with things.’ And as every person with a food allergy will tell you, this is almost impossible.

Be proactive

You may be able to negotiate a food allowance which will enable you to buy your own food. This will be very helpful in cases such as gluten sensitivities or coeliac instances.

If you are the person who does the shopping, then you may be able to focus on fresh ingredients and those which are safe for you to eat. This is, however, a grey area as most families accept that the live-in carer will eat the same as the client.

If your diet is very specific, then you may be faced with taking some essential food items with you. Should you be going to a new placement, bear in mind that the ships you may need may be too far away to reach in a break. 

Final thoughts

Having a food allergy does not preclude you from a placement although it may need a little forethought and planning before you arrive.

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