Most people value strong communication, whether in the context of personal life or business. For the latter, dialogue helps to improve service while preventing misunderstandings. And when it comes to home care services in Marina del Rey, Santa Monica, or the West Los Angeles regions, strong communication is particularly important and contributes to the well-being of vulnerable loved ones.
Here are five helpful topics families should discuss with caregivers and two subjects that are best avoided.
Topics to Discuss
1) Scheduling – Plans change, and a caregiver’s ability to lend a helping hand when needed is one of the great benefits of home care services. But it’s still best for families to plan ahead whenever possible. After all, caregivers are people with their own personal responsibilities and families.
Clients are best served by determining a regular caregiver schedule and sticking with it as much as possible. This helps ensure reliability and continuity of care. A representative from BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey or similar agency can then reach out to prospective aides prior to start of care, based on the pre-determined schedule, and work to find the best fit.
2) Priorities – It’s easy to assume most people prioritize the same aspects of home care services. But as any professional caregiver can confirm, families and clients often have vastly different needs and expectations. One might prefer their caregiver refrain from any household chores, such as doing laundry, while another expects the task to be completed and in a specific way.
Another client could request that her aide take detailed care notes to be communicated with the family each day. While services are meant to be flexible and comprehensive, a worker’s time may be limited depending on the schedule. Prioritization is usually a good way to get the best results in any situation with limited time and resources, and the same holds true with caregiver services.
3) Gratitude – Home care agencies and their caregivers are certain to hear negative feedback when things go wrong. But clients and families are less likely to communicate praise when things go right. And to be fair, that reality is common in most lines of work and human interaction. It’s just the way people are hardwired.
But client feedback (good or bad) really helps home care agencies, including BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, improve their service. Companies use negative responses to change and refine processes, but they also use positive reviews to reinforce procedures that work. And caregivers are sure to welcome praise for a job well done, which further boosts their morale and performance!
4) Family Dynamics – Most families have certain dynamics that are unknown to the rest of the world. They might have an untrustworthy relative who is unwelcome in the home or an unpredictable loved one battling substance abuse. Caregivers can usually manage these complexities if there’s no risk of violence or injury. But it’s important for families to give them a “heads up” and alert them to the situation.
5) Cognitive Decline – Many older folks suffer from Alzheimer’s, dementia, or some form of cognitive decline. However, these conditions are under-diagnosed, and some people ignore their loved ones’ symptoms in an effort to remain positive and hopeful. But when it comes to caregiving, it’s incredibly important for home care agencies and their aides to know the full story.
Aides should be told when a client is suspected of having dementia or compromised cognition. First, such knowledge is critical to care delivery and ensuring the patient’s safety. Second, mental lapses and forgetfulness can lead to other service issues. What happens if “Mom” loses her wedding ring and accuses an innocent caregiver of stealing it? Such a situation might be avoided if the caregiver is aware of the situation and takes extra precautions to avoid unfortunate misunderstandings.
Topics to Avoid
1) Caregivers’ Personal Lives – Home care clients and their aides naturally develop close relationships over time. And while most agencies welcome these bonds, it’s important to never forget the professional nature of the partnership. Caregivers are ultimately there to perform work functions that benefit their clients, promote safety, ensure health, and improve quality of life.
Responsible home care companies, such as BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, instruct caregivers to avoid discussing their personal finances, romances, and family matters. And clients are best to steer clear of these conversations as well. It’s not healthy for an aging loved one to bear the burden of their home care aide’s personal challenges. And the last thing anybody wants is for a vulnerable senior to feel obligated to assist a caregiver financially or otherwise!
2) Religion, Politics, Cultural Topics – Home care clients and their caregivers represent a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds—especially in communities as diverse as Santa Monica, Brentwood, and West Los Angeles. And while it’s appropriate to discuss dietary preferences, cultural holidays, and other benign topics, some are best avoided.
Home care agencies must be careful to abide by Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) guidelines that prohibit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, and a variety of other protected “classes.” And while certain conversations may seem harmless, they have the potential to make caregivers (or clients) feel uncomfortable. When in doubt, it’s best to play it safe and focus on other topics of conversation.
Summary
Ultimately, caregiving is an intimate service that is best delivered through strong communication and transparency. Families don’t need to divulge all personal aspects of their lives to home care aides, but they should recognize that certain details are pertinent to the job. And both caregivers and clients should always remember to maintain professional relationships that don’t compromise the quality of care.
If you’re seeking home care services for a family member, friend, or patient in the Santa Monica or West Los Angeles region, be sure to call BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey today for a free assessment from our Director of Nursing (Registered Nurse)!
Here are five helpful topics families should discuss with caregivers and two subjects that are best avoided.
Topics to Discuss
1) Scheduling – Plans change, and a caregiver’s ability to lend a helping hand when needed is one of the great benefits of home care services. But it’s still best for families to plan ahead whenever possible. After all, caregivers are people with their own personal responsibilities and families.
Clients are best served by determining a regular caregiver schedule and sticking with it as much as possible. This helps ensure reliability and continuity of care. A representative from BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey or similar agency can then reach out to prospective aides prior to start of care, based on the pre-determined schedule, and work to find the best fit.
2) Priorities – It’s easy to assume most people prioritize the same aspects of home care services. But as any professional caregiver can confirm, families and clients often have vastly different needs and expectations. One might prefer their caregiver refrain from any household chores, such as doing laundry, while another expects the task to be completed and in a specific way.
Another client could request that her aide take detailed care notes to be communicated with the family each day. While services are meant to be flexible and comprehensive, a worker’s time may be limited depending on the schedule. Prioritization is usually a good way to get the best results in any situation with limited time and resources, and the same holds true with caregiver services.
3) Gratitude – Home care agencies and their caregivers are certain to hear negative feedback when things go wrong. But clients and families are less likely to communicate praise when things go right. And to be fair, that reality is common in most lines of work and human interaction. It’s just the way people are hardwired.
But client feedback (good or bad) really helps home care agencies, including BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, improve their service. Companies use negative responses to change and refine processes, but they also use positive reviews to reinforce procedures that work. And caregivers are sure to welcome praise for a job well done, which further boosts their morale and performance!
4) Family Dynamics – Most families have certain dynamics that are unknown to the rest of the world. They might have an untrustworthy relative who is unwelcome in the home or an unpredictable loved one battling substance abuse. Caregivers can usually manage these complexities if there’s no risk of violence or injury. But it’s important for families to give them a “heads up” and alert them to the situation.
5) Cognitive Decline – Many older folks suffer from Alzheimer’s, dementia, or some form of cognitive decline. However, these conditions are under-diagnosed, and some people ignore their loved ones’ symptoms in an effort to remain positive and hopeful. But when it comes to caregiving, it’s incredibly important for home care agencies and their aides to know the full story.
Aides should be told when a client is suspected of having dementia or compromised cognition. First, such knowledge is critical to care delivery and ensuring the patient’s safety. Second, mental lapses and forgetfulness can lead to other service issues. What happens if “Mom” loses her wedding ring and accuses an innocent caregiver of stealing it? Such a situation might be avoided if the caregiver is aware of the situation and takes extra precautions to avoid unfortunate misunderstandings.
Topics to Avoid
1) Caregivers’ Personal Lives – Home care clients and their aides naturally develop close relationships over time. And while most agencies welcome these bonds, it’s important to never forget the professional nature of the partnership. Caregivers are ultimately there to perform work functions that benefit their clients, promote safety, ensure health, and improve quality of life.
Responsible home care companies, such as BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, instruct caregivers to avoid discussing their personal finances, romances, and family matters. And clients are best to steer clear of these conversations as well. It’s not healthy for an aging loved one to bear the burden of their home care aide’s personal challenges. And the last thing anybody wants is for a vulnerable senior to feel obligated to assist a caregiver financially or otherwise!
2) Religion, Politics, Cultural Topics – Home care clients and their caregivers represent a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds—especially in communities as diverse as Santa Monica, Brentwood, and West Los Angeles. And while it’s appropriate to discuss dietary preferences, cultural holidays, and other benign topics, some are best avoided.
Home care agencies must be careful to abide by Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) guidelines that prohibit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, and a variety of other protected “classes.” And while certain conversations may seem harmless, they have the potential to make caregivers (or clients) feel uncomfortable. When in doubt, it’s best to play it safe and focus on other topics of conversation.
Summary
Ultimately, caregiving is an intimate service that is best delivered through strong communication and transparency. Families don’t need to divulge all personal aspects of their lives to home care aides, but they should recognize that certain details are pertinent to the job. And both caregivers and clients should always remember to maintain professional relationships that don’t compromise the quality of care.
If you’re seeking home care services for a family member, friend, or patient in the Santa Monica or West Los Angeles region, be sure to call BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey today for a free assessment from our Director of Nursing (Registered Nurse)!