In the perfect world, when our client calls us, we would hear and be there in an instant to make sure all is well. Unfortunately, in real life this may not be the case and there may come a time when as a live in carer you feel that a monitor is needed.
The obvious reason is that we may not always hear our clients calling. You may have noticed, particularly if you have been with your client for some time, that their voice becomes feebler. This is partly due to age although it can also be because of their condition.
Some conditions may leave a client mumbling rather than talking assertively, and should they need help in the night, they may simply mumble rather than call out as they previously did.
Additionally, as people get older, their voices change. Where once there was a strong voice to call you, now it may be a lot quieter.
Talking can be a strenuous deal for older and frail clients and may require a greater effort. They may almost stop talking altogether because of the effort it requires.
For live-in carers the days are often long and difficult. Little wonder that we fall asleep at the end of the day, and sleep deeply. Sometimes, depending on the stage of our sleep, we may literally not hear our clients calling us. Through no fault of anyone, we may occasionally just not hear a call.
In a home where the spouse is also living there, live-in carers would rightly close their bedroom doors. This may mean that the door to the client’s bedroom is closed so they can sleep in darkness and not be disturbed, and the carers bedroom door is also closed for privacy. This means that for your client to attract attention, they need to call through two doors.
Calling through two doors may be an issue for an older client at the best of times. Added to that, we may have a client who is feeble and groggy with sleep but needs a drink. This may result in a quiet call which can easily be missed.
Unless you have a client who you need to physically see every minute, such as to monitor climbing out of the bed, then there may be no reason to have a monitor where you see your client. If you do need to keep watch on a client, then hopefully there is a night carer in place to do that (there should be.)
There are many different types of monitors available online and the choice and price range is huge.
However, if we keep things simple, rather than complicating them, you will find that what is needed is a basic baby monitor, which is used to monitor babies who are placed in another room and may wake and need attention.
A basic monitor may only have an on/off button along with volume control. This is truthfully all that is needed to monitor a client at night or while they are in bed.
One thing to remember is that if you are in a home where the spouse is also present, you should turn the monitor off while it is not needed. This will stop any accusation of you eavesdropping on your client and spouse while they are talking.
Only turn the monitor on once your client is settled in bed and ready to sleep. Do not place the monitor too close to your own bed as you will hear every breath that your client takes and also every snore! Keep it on the other side of your bedroom where you can easily hear if they call, as well as get some sleep yourself.
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