There are some unique challenges associated with working as a caregiver in a high-rise or other multi-story building in Buckhead. Parking, access codes, concierge check-in, elevator wait times, and building rules are all things that can impact your arrival time. This type of home care position may be good for you if you're patient and prepared. It also helps to have good time management skills.
When considering a position at Home Instead, new candidates should carefully consider the commute to the client's home as it may involve just as much planning as driving.
Building Access, Parking, Elevators and Timing
Arriving at the building address of the client's high-rise home is not necessarily the same as arriving at the client's home.
You still must park, enter the building, check in, wait for an elevator and arrive at the correct floor. Some buildings even have different entrances for residents, visitors, deliveries and service staff.
I would consider all of that part of the trip.
If a visit begins at 9:00 a.m., the goal is to be ready for the client at 9:00 a.m., not pulling into a parking space at that time. A responsible Care Pro will factor in all of the time required to complete the visit and will plan to arrive at the client's location at least 10 minutes before the start of a scheduled visit.
Useful questions before your first visit may include:
- Where do I park and how will I know this is an accepted space?
- Am I assigned a parking space, or is parking controlled or time-limited?
- Which of many building entrances should I use?
- Am I required to use an access code or other badge?
- Are additional check-ins required at the concierge or front desk?
- Will my visit be permitted if I do not have prior approval?
- Which elevator should I direct myself to?
- Will it be necessary to add time to my travel plans?
Buckhead is a part of the Local recruitment area for the Atlanta Office. Applicants looking to work locally should review the caregiver postings in Buckhead.
How to Respect Front-Desk, Concierge, and Access Rules
Front-desk or concierge staff will be responsible for building access. As a Care Pro, you will be required to follow the rules, even if the client has pre-communicated your arrival. This may mean giving your name, identifying the resident you are visiting, waiting while the resident is contacted, or using a visitor’s portal.
Being asked to wait should not be taken as a sign to lose your cool and ask the employee to break a rule, especially if you are running late.
Once you enter the client’s home, you should still keep in mind that you are in someone else’s private space. Follow the household’s requirements for shoes, bags etc., doors, and personal space.
Being calm and prepared, and showing respect is professionalism in high-rise buildings, even before the visit. The front desk staff, the client and their family will notice your professionalism as well.
That’s the way we look at care in our Home Instead Atlanta office. We enter a person’s home and center our visit around that person’s routines and preferences.
What to Bring, What Not to Bring Into Client Homes
When you have a high-rise assignment, less is typically easier.
Bring what you need for the visit and whatever your employer has asked you to carry. Avoid bringing bags to be stored in the client’s home; organize your personal items.
A good rule to follow is to bring your phone, ID, keys, and work-related items.
Don’t bring needless personal belongings to the client’s home. This includes bags, unnecessary items, food with a strong scent and anything that takes up the client’s space.
Your phone is something to consider, too. It can be a helpful tool for communicating and scheduling as well as providing directions, but it should not create a distraction for the client.
The client’s home is not your break room or an office lobby. It is their living space.
If you want to see more about how Home Instead explains the role, responsibilities, and day-to-day nature of caregiving, you can read about the Care Pro experience.
Handling Access Issues without Leaving the Client Waiting
Issues with accessibility happen. A garage may be full. The access code may not work. The concierge may not be aware of your name. The elevator may be out of order.
Issues are most important when it comes to how accessibility issues are resolved.
Do not waste 20 minutes endlessly trying to access the same locked door or standing around waiting and doing nothing. If unexpected issues arise, describe the problem by the communication method stated in the task handler.
An adequate update is specific:
“I am at the facility. The access code is not firing the visitor's entrance. I am made contact with the person and am now standing by.”
This is more productive than saying “this facility is impossible.”
Do not lose focus and start annoying the front desk, the client, and the property.
If you know that you are going to be running behind, let the client know as early as you can.
Prior to your first Buckhead assignment, ensure you complete the access planning. Save the information that is allowed to be in your possession in the appropriate place. Make sure you know who to contact if any accessibility changes occur.
While delays are not always prevented, good preparation gives you the upper hand in dealing with a delay that is slightly less problematic.
FAQ About Caregiver Jobs in Buckhead
Do Buckhead Caregiver Jobs Require a Knowledge of High-Rises?
They don’t. While experience working in a high-rise might help, being comfortable with a building’s procedures, flexible parking, the possibility of congested access, and allowing for buffer time are more important.
Is knowing the parking situation on every trip a requirement?
While you should probably familiarize yourself with the parking situation and how to get into the building for every new assignment, the parking situation can affect the length of time it will take to get from Buckhead to the client’s home, so it’s a good idea to look into it.
What do I do if the concierge refuses to let me into the building?
Maintain a civil and polite attitude, and abide by the approved protocol of the assignment. Ignoring the concierge and the building staff is not a solution, and neither is pressuring them to break the building’s rules. Contact the assigned person, tell them where you are, and await further instructions and/or approval.
What should I consider regarding visit scheduling to high-rises?
You should consider all of the variables. It’s not just the time it takes to drive there. Parking, walking to the garage, standing by the front desk, waiting for an available elevator, all of that time, adds to your estimated time for arriving at the client’s unit.
How do I apply for Home Instead Buckhead caregiver jobs?
Review the Buckhead and National Home Instead Home Care jobs listing on their website, and consider the details of each job posting. After looking at all of the details, apply for the job listing, step by step, following instructions provided for that job.
If you're patient, reliable, and comfortable providing care in private residences, and would enjoy the opportunity to learn and plan for the logistics of high-rise care within Buckhead, we would love to discuss this further with you. In the meantime, you can research caregiver opportunities in Buckhead and apply to be a Care Pro with our team in Atlanta.
About the Author
Kelee King has been part of the Home Instead team since 2018 and now serves as Chief Operating Officer. She shares practical insight on caregiving, caregiver support, and the relationships that help older adults, families, and Care Pros feel supported.
