RESPECT: What does it mean for a caregiver.... and your organization?

Respect. Aretha knew all about it…. And the fact that getting some can mean the world.

I recently had an amazing LIVE training session with one of the organizations I work with. There were some important topics that caregivers had sent me to go over. Topics like difficult shower transfers, handling tough family dynamics, understanding scope of services, inter-caregiver communication… This session was PACKED with really intense and important information and conversations.

But the overall theme? RESPECT. And the fact that it goes both ways. We all get that clients need to be respected. They need our empathy. They need us to look deeper to meet their needs. They need us to be proactive, and kind, and compassionate. And, of course, your caregivers actually have the SAME needs. But, they also need something else from you. They need to know you have their back.

See, caregivers walk into work every day by themselves. And while the caregiving organization leadership is worried about limited oversight (which is obviously a real concern in a home care setting), your caregiver is worried about what to do if something happens that is out of their knowledge or experience. They are worried about what to do if their client becomes agitated or combative. They are worried about what to do if someone falls. What to do if a client asks them to help with something unsafe? What to do if a transfer is hurting them? What to do when their boundaries are being pushed? And these things ARE happening to your caregivers… all the time.

But what are YOU, a leader in your home care organization, supposed to do about it? I mean, these are BIG issues, and you’re already dealing with scheduling chaos, payroll, constant hiring, constant turnover, marketing, client assessments, networking, office staff, and (hopefully not) client injuries, issues, complaints, and maybe even…… GULP…. workers comp.

These aren’t issues or questions that can just be addressed once, or in a cursory way. They need to be part of an ongoing conversation. An ongoing interaction with your caregivers that not only teaches them the important skills they need to WALK CONFIDENTLY into each client home…. That not only helps to REDUCE the CHAOS of YOUR day…. But to let your caregivers know that they have what we all want. RESPECT.

And, as a side note, it won’t just make your caregivers happy. It will keep them WITH YOUR ORGANIZATION. That organization whose LIVE session I was referring to? Their average turnover since starting the program is UNDER 20% and FALLING.

If this article struck a nerve or you have questions about how to help your caregiving organization, reach out to the author. Emilia.bourland@aipctherapy.com 469-998-1245

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