Getting Started in EI Home Care
A few weeks ago a reader published a comment on this blog asking for suggestions regarding things to help get a young therapist, who is just beginning in EI, started in the field and I immediately thought—what a wonderful idea for a post! Even if you've been doing this for decades, I hope you can gain a few helpful tips and please write in your own tricks of the trade and the trusty trinkets you use to help make your day a success!
I'd like to start with some of the personal items I keep handy that make constant car travel actually ENJOYABLE:
- A hands-free cell phone device. Since we spend so much of our time driving, it is definitely worth it to have a hands-free device (which is also mandated by law in many places now). My car is my office and sometimes I need to make phone calls throughout the day, plus families will call to cancel or talk and either way, it's important to be prepared, available and safe.
- Cell phone car charger. Although I charge my phone every night when I get home, on the rare occasion that I forget, I always have backup if I need it!
- Insulated lunch bag. One of the best gifts I ever received was an insulted lunch bag! When everything else in your car is exposed to the elements while you are working inside someone's home, your food stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This keeps a smile on my face even when the weather outside has reached an extreme temperature!
- Umbrella. You never know when a passing shower or thunderstorm may roll in, especially this time of the year. I have been caught in downpours before and it is not fun to sit in soggy clothes in someone's air-conditioned home. I keep an umbrella in my car at all times.
- Insulated thermos. Keeps your beverages toasty on wintry days!
- Frozen water jug/bottle. This suggestion was recently shared with me by a wise co-worker. Every night during the summer months she puts a jug of water in the freezer so that it is ready to go in the morning. Because it is solid ice when you leave for work, it slowly thaws throughout the day and provides a cold drink even hours later during the dog days of summer! It works and is wonderful! You can add lemon and/or lime to lighten the flavor!
- Tissues and napkins. Like I said before, my car is my office. I've spilled coffee on myself a dozen times and have eaten numerous paninis and fruit salads while driving. Needless to say, napkins and tissues are a must for food purposes, as well as the unexpected sneezing attack!
- Good music and/or radio commentary. Two staples I cannot do without!
Please share some items you can't you live without in EI!!!
Next week I will highlight therapy items that are an absolutely MUST for an EI SLP!!