Sorry I haven't gotten back to you people lately, Been working, but I"m back with more helpful hints.
Although hints and all the tips in the world would be helpful; you have to face the facts sometimes.
Clients are people too
Every Client that you take care of no matter how old or young they are, they deserve respect. They have thoughts and ideas just like everyone else and they should be respected for it. It is not our job to tell them what they cannot do (Unless it will put their/ our lives in danger). We are there to help them on the road to discovery of who they are and what they want to do in life. We are friends, co-workers, but always first a helping hand to make their lives easier.
They get angry just like us
Sometimes they may get mad at us, just for being around, they don't believe that they need our help and soemtimes with do just about anything to get rid of us. I experienced this the first time I came in the door of my new client's house. They were so nice the first day, but the next day they turned on me and for the next two weeks I had all kinds of profanity's yelled at me, told I should I should get killed. this of course startled me, and even scared me. I was on the phone with my supervisor all the time, I dreaded going to work, and started to beg my supervizer for a new client.
through all of this life and stress My supervisor and I worked hand and hand to figure out what we could do to make the client feel less threatened by us. We discovered that she felt like she was imprisoned by us, because of the protocall's we had to follow. slowly over time we started laxing on them and she seemed to come around. There is always something that you can do to make your client less angry with you.
Don't let them bully you
just like sometimes clients get angry, they can be mean too, the exsample above that I shared with my client swearing at me and telling me to get killed happens. This is them testing you. Perhaps their last caregiver was a total push-over and they did anything that your client wanted if they screamed loud enough. Do not let your client walk all over you. They are adult's and should act as such, try telling them "That isn't the way you talk to people" or "That really hurts my feelings" or something to re-direct how they are talking to you.
always follow the procedures of your company that tell you how to deal with aggressive clients, but also be aware that you as a caregiver have rights as well. if you are feeling threatened by your client talk to your supervisor, or talk to your company's safety committy. they should be dedicated to your personal safety and help you find some tools to de-escilate your client's rage, or aggression and at the same time protect yourself.
Find out what makes your client happy
This is where it gets tricky, if you find out what makes your client happy or something that they can connect with, you have to make sure that you do not use it to menipulate them to do what you want. it is not our job to boss them around remember that, but if you can find something to ease their mind, or make them happy, your day with your client is going to be much easier for you. if your client likes going on walks; take a walk with them, if they like dogs; take them to an animal shelter to visit puppy's. see if you can make a schedual that once a week you do something that they want to do and do it with them. they will see it as a reward, and through the week you can brainstorm what they want to do. it is an exellent way to keep open communication to your client, and if you are as new as the client is, it will give you an open perspective that is rather enlightening.
You are not their maid
Recently this week I had an experience with my client. She was upset that the bathroom wasn't clean and was expecting everything to be done for her. The policy for the company that I work for say's that the client has to help with the activity, as we are there to assist them to make their lives better. this is where it can get tricky for some people who have trouble with being a little impatient sometimes like myself. some clients that you may encounter may not have a high age mentality, so their understanding of "Time to do the dishes" or "Switch out the laundry" will be a little difficult for them. however, be careful, if another caregiver tells you they know how to switch out the laundry and they pretend to not know what you mean, they are playing you. never forget that even you as a child played the stupid card to get out of things you didn't want to do. clients will do the same thing.
I'm not saying this to be mean, I'm just telling you that I have experienced this myself. this is the clients way of having fun sometimes as they think it is funny. however this is taking away from them as they learn to integrate into the society of people. we as caregivers are there to HELP, not DO things for them. remember that everything, expecially cleaning their appartment or their room is a group activity, and they have to participate- you did not get hired to be their maid, unless you are told specifically by your supervisor that they are not physically able to do something, do it WITH them.
I will try to be more active in posting, and posting resources. as always, keep your chin up!
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