When caring for a loved one, getting many family
members involved can relieve stress and provide the best quality of care.
Holding a monthly or bi-monthly meeting can keep each family member updated
about financial matters and your loved one’s health condition. This article
will help you organize family meetings.
Discuss attendance. Each person who is involved in caregiving should attend the meeting. This could involve, adult relatives, friends, neighbors, and paid caregivers. Your loved one may not want to attend, depending on his or her health condition. Those with dementia might not understand what is going on at the meeting, or family members may not want to cause stress for their loved one.
Choose
a location. Choose a setting that is accessible to
many people in the family. Keep in mind the accommodations that each party in
attendance needs. For example, choose a place with wheelchair accessibility and
an environment that is appropriate for children, if applicable.
Decide
on topics. The topics will differ per meeting, but
there are some general areas that may be covered. For example, your loved one’s
location may be up for discussion. Explore the possible options, such as if she
should move in with another family member or go to an assisted living home. You
should also discuss financial contributions, support for the primary
caregivers, power of attorney, and anticipated changes as the illness
progresses.
Establish
an agenda and stick to it. One person should be the meeting’s
facilitator, who can keep everyone on topic. The facilitator should design an
agenda ahead of time and send this to everyone who is in attendance. The agenda
should outline each topic of discussion, in order, and a rough timeframe for
each topic. With family, sometimes other issues that are not relevant to your
loved one’s caregiving can be discussed. To avoid fighting and to stay on topic,
the facilitator should steer the conversation back to the main points.
Focus
on the bigger picture. It is natural for family to disagree
over details when deciding on a care plan. Try to avoid speaking about issues
that do not involve your loved one. Additionally, create an atmosphere where
people can freely share their concerns and wishes. Some people will be afraid
of others not pulling their weight. It is not possible to completely divide the
work evenly, so make sure that each person is comfortable with their duties.
Those who cannot take off work can help financially, and those who are not
comfortable with assisting with activities of daily living can cook or clean
for your loved one. The overarching goal of this meeting is to provide the best
care for your loved one, so keep your meeting centered around this goal.
Have you had a successful family caregiver meeting? Let us know what has worked out well for you and your family.
We all have that one patient or loved one that is as
stubborn as they come when it pertains to seeking health care. You have heard
the spiel on independence and autonomy, the distrust towards health care
professionals, and the overall disdain to the treatment process. You have tried
to reason with this individual a thousand times. You feel like a broken record,
desperate to get them to see things from your perspective. All of these, to no
avail. We understand the frustration you face when all you want is to help that
individual receive the treatment that they need. So, let’s dissect this topic
and talk about the reasons why they may be refusing treatment. Once you figure
that out, you can then employ some of our tips and tricks to persuade your
loved one or patient to receive/continue treatment.
There are several reasons why an individual will resist
health care treatment. Understanding where their reluctance lies is the first
step to finding a solution. More often than not, this unwillingness to receive
treatment stems from the feeling of fear and nervousness. We have to put things
into perspective for ourselves and understand that there is nothing comforting
about potentially being told that your condition is worsening, or that you have
to take that extra medication. The whole health care process can be
intimidating. That’s why it is so important not to invalidate the individual’s
feelings. Instead, you must allow them to feel and reassure them that they are
not alone in the way they are feeling. Reminding the patient that they have a
support system as well as other individuals facing the same struggles can help
alleviate some of the anxiety.
It is also important to note as a professional caregiver
that refusal to receive treatment could stem from something more deeply rooted,
such as a cultural barrier or a bad experience with a health care
facility/doctor.
In the instance of a less than pleasurable experience with a
health care provider, employing empathy is critical in your approach. If you
are their caregiver, make sure that you use compassion and patience. These
adverse experiences can be traumatizing, and the patient may need some time to
cope. Be gentle and remind them that they are in control of their treatment. If
you are a loved one, allow them the autonomy to help in the search for a caregiver.
This will give them a feeling of control over their care and can instill some
peace of mind. You can also supplement testimonials from other patients just
like them, testifying to the caregiver’s character and professionalism.
From a cultural standpoint, health care is a controversial
topic. In many backgrounds, homeopathic remedies are just the health care of
choice. If your background is similar to mine, then growing up in an Arab
household, you would know that there wasn’t any ailment that maramia (loose
sage) and 7-Up, couldn’t fix. These traditions and remedies are deeply rooted
within each respective culture and could be a tough mindset to break. Trust me,
I know. If you are a professional health care provider dealing with this issue,
try speaking to the patient’s family members. Younger generations typically
tend to be more open-minded and understanding. They could probably convey the
message to the patient better than any health professional can. If you are a
family member of the patient, patience is your best friend. Focus on explaining
the importance of the treatment and don’t be too pushy.
I have identified why my patient or loved one is
reluctant. Now what?
Congratulations! Sometimes having the individual open up about
why they are so reluctant can be the hardest part of getting them on board with
treatment. Pat yourself on the back, and then continue on to reading our tips
on how to persuade your patient or loved one to seek or continue treatment.
Focus on the positives: Instead of emphasizing all of the bad things that could occur if a patient or a loved one denies treatment, focus on the positives that could come out of it. If the individual is facing pain of some sort, explain to them that the treatment could help alleviate some of that pain. Capitalize on how the treatment will improve on various aspects of the individual’s life. Give them a visual of what life could be like if they receive the care. “This medicine can help to reduce your joint pain, which means you will be able to play with the kids for longer.” Creating a visual will not only help them to gain perspective on the positive outcomes but also give them comfort in knowing that there could be a solution to their issue.
The approach is everything: Your approach to
persuading a loved one or patient to receive treatment is everything. The
treatment process is one that can be exhausting and tedious. Empathizing with
these feelings helps you to understand better what the individual is going
through. When you approach the individual, make sure you are coming from a
place that is free of judgment. Focus on how far they have come and how much
progress they have made. Sometimes, the patient can feel as though the fact
that they have to continue or strengthen treatment can only mean their
condition is only worsening. This could be quite a significant factor in the
refusal of seeking treatment.
Lead by example: This is what I like to call the
“following the leader” technique. We all know that one person that has to see
other people doing it in order for them to participate. Sometimes, making your
health a priority yourself can encourage someone else to do the same. This also
allows you to obtain the credibility for the individual to be more inclined to
listen to what you have to say. Whether a caregiver or a loved one, exemplify
how you prioritize your health and wellbeing, and more often than not, the
patient will want to do the same.
Know when enough is enough: I get how frustrating and
upsetting it can be when you’ve tried everything, and the patient just won’t
budge. But that right there could be your problem. Being overbearing and too
pushy can have the exact opposite effect of what you would like it to. If the
patient is adamant in their response, back off for a while and try to revisit
the subject at a later time. You do not want to make the issue a sensitive
topic that is entirely off-putting to the patient. If the situation permits it,
remember that the slow and steady tactic wins the race.
Have any other tips for persuading a patient or loved one to
receive/continue treatment? Let us know in the comments below!
Many resources and institutions suggest an upcoming shortage of nurses and care providers throughout the United States. With the aging demographics of Baby Boomers (not to mention that many of the nurses and care providers are aging themselves into retirement) and the greater access to care from healthcare reform, there’s little reason to disagree. Whether you are a healthcare company owner or a large institutional recruiter, finding specific, quality healthcare providers to fill the demand gap can be no doubt challenging, especially if you’re in a smaller market.
The competition for quality healthcare providers is fierce. Options for finding ones in the open market are limited and typical:
Place job postings with on-line classified ads – Craigslist.com anyone?
Use costlier job posting boards like Indeed.com, Careerbuilder.com, or Monster.com
Use an expensive staffing agency for temp workers expecting to find a permanent
Network in person and look for a word-of-mouth referral for a quality provider – but who has the time?
Hope a provider comes across your job placement posting on your company website
The drawbacks to the “old” recruitment methods are common and overlapping. In many cases, the job posting boards can get expensive, especially with multiple postings, and the responses to on-line job boards are random, numerous with applicants applying who sometimes don’t even qualify. Even more expensive is temporary staffing and placement agencies costing 1.5-3X the hourly rate or 10% of the first year’s salary with a placement. These methods are untargeted and very random with random responses and sometimes unpredictable outcomes. The hiring cycles can be very lengthy in trying to find the unique match for the quality provider needed. In a hyper-competitive market, this leads to high turnover rates among the limited provider pool to fill the openings to meet patient demands.
So what is a healthcare company owner or recruiter to do with such challenging circumstances? On the one hand more patient cases are needed to be serves; while on the other hand, staffing requirements need to be prepared to handle additional cases. So what is the priority? Marketing for more cases and hopefully hire staff to serve those cases, or carry the costs of hiring staff first and hopefully the cases will come? Thus we have the recruiter’s (or owner’s) dilemma – how to get specific quality healthcare providers in the fastest and least expensive way to meet yours and your patients’ needs.
CuraConnector.com helps healthcare company owners and recruiters search, find and match to specific healthcare providers in the most cost-efficient and time-effective way on the market, allowing real-time searches for providers matching over 50 quantitative and qualitative variables. Looking for a Vietnamese speaking provider sensitive to Catholic traditions with experience in chronic heart disease? Or seeking a male physical therapist, non-allergic to cats and smoke, and with experience in Alzheimer’s dementia? CuraConnector.com’s web application platform helps owners and recruiters find the “needle in the haystack of healthcare providers” with on-demand, real-time efficiency to fill the exact job vacancy with specificity. With CuraConnector.com, the recruiter’s dilemma is….solved.
I want you to think. Think of how many battles with your partner, best friend, or fast food cashier could have been avoided had you both effectively communicated your thoughts and desires. Maybe the fight started because it was about what you chose not to disclose. How many situations have escalated because you weren’t forthcoming with pertinent information, or even your feelings? Many relationships, whether intimate or professional, face unnecessary conflict due to ineffective verbal communication. Ineffective verbal communication can be presented in the forms of suppression, hearing but not listening, and not asking the right questions.
The healthcare industry is no stranger to this issue. Effective communication is imperative to have when speaking to patients and studying medicine. This skill is fundamental in any position when considering the healthcare profession. How we choose to interpret certain situations and words is subjective to each individual, and this can pose a challenge when understanding what is being communicated to you.
So, you may be asking yourself, how do we avoid such a
conflict?
Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Below, we have listed
five tips to avoid those pesky misunderstandings and promote healthy and
transparent conversation:
1. Be mindful: In the healthcare field, there are many factors that you have to be aware of when verbally and non-verbally communicating. If you are dealing with a patient of a different culture, faith, or a language barrier, these all can prove to be challenges in communication. From body language to word choice, various backgrounds interpret communication in a number of ways. Make sure when you are talking to a patient with a differing background that you educate yourself on their customs and tailor your approach accordingly. It is so vital to ensure that you are respectful and encouraging, and these differ from culture to culture.
2. Educate yourself: You wouldn’t explain to your kid
why “there are so many languages in this world” until you knew the correct
answer yourself, right? This same concept applies to educating yourself on
patients with differing backgrounds. If you are unaware of their customs or
culture, educate yourself. Ignorance is the easiest way to falter in
communication, but it is also one of the easiest to remedy. Ask a coworker who
may be familiar with the associated culture or language for help. Ask questions
when speaking to the patient to gain a better understanding of their
perspective.
I’m going to say it. Google is your best friend in instances like these. If you don’t feel comfortable employing either of those tactics, Google is there to save the day. Of course, you should always make sure that the information you are getting from Google is accurate and accredited. But in the event that you find yourself in a pinch, this could be your savior.
3. Consider differing perspectives: Once you have
educated yourself on the background of the patient, it is essential to put
yourself in their shoes. Work to put yourself in their headspace and reflect on
how their differing perspectives could interpret what you might have to say and
vice versa. When speaking to that patient, ensure that you listen before you
talk and process what they are telling you. This will allow you to consider
different meanings behind their responses and will help you to ask the right
questions.
4. Listen carefully before you speak: I know, this one seems like common sense. Well, you would honestly be surprised at how many individuals will stop listening once they believe they know what the other person is trying to convey. So, always allow your patients the ability to speak their mind fully before you respond. This is so important not only when being respectful, but when also allowing yourself the time to process what the patient is telling you. Just think about it, you could have avoided that fight with your wife the other day if you would have only listened to her the first time.
5. Ask questions: The dreaded statement you would hear from every school teacher you ever had. As much as we hated to hear it, asking questions was probably the most valuable lesson we could have taken away. So much of verbal miscommunications could be avoided if we just employed this one skill. Asking questions offers clarity, promotes engagement, and shows interest in what the individual who is speaking to you is saying. Be sure also to ask if the person you are engaging with understands you. Sometimes, individuals will go along with a conversation, even if they do not grasp what you are attempting to convey. This occurs because the individual may not want to inconvenience you by asking you to explain yourself further. Just as it is your duty as a healthcare professional to ask questions when you don’t understand, it is even more important to ensure that you are being understood.
A good thing to remember: When speaking, it is imperative that what you are saying is accurate, honest, respectful, and clear. As a healthcare professional or student studying medicine, you understand the various emotions patients and family members feel when they are faced with a medical complication, whether minor or significant. Couple this with complicated medical terminology and an overall lack of understanding of the condition is a recipe for a stressful situation. This is why the four factors listed above are relevant when communicating to anyone of any background. Keeping your messages as accurate, honest, and clear as possible helps with transparency. Maintaining a respectful approach is a given in any situation. Also, try to be encouraging and appropriate with your mannerisms and your speech. These two attributes help you to be more empathetic and flexible with the age groups, backgrounds, and differing patients that you interact with.
Here at CuraConnector, we understand the importance of effective communication, which is why Co-Founders Candace and Nhan Nguyen created the platform. By telling us what your specific needs are, we can match you to the best candidate for those needs. We are passionate about creating successful client-provider relationships that will improve the health care industry in ways that have never been accomplished.
“Most misunderstandings in the world could be avoided if people would simply take the time to ask, “What else could this mean?” – Shannon L. Alder
What are some tips that you have for effective communication
within the healthcare industry? Post your thoughts, feedback, and responses in
the comments down below. We look forward to hearing from you!
What exactly is caregiver burnout? Burnout is a feeling of exhaustion, plain and simple. It is a toll taken on your mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. This feeling of burnout is typically accompanied by feelings of helplessness, unconcern for yourself and your patient, and an overall negative mindset. In other words, you are in need of some significant self-care and maybe a vacation to the Bahamas.
What are some signs of burnout?
• Disturbances in sleep patterns
• Physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion
• Irritability
• Feelings of helplessness and despair
• Changes in appetite
• Feelings of wanting to harm oneself or one’s patient
How can you prevent it?
Escaping to somewhere tropical may not be in the cards for you right now. That is why we have listed five tips and tricks in which a caregiver can utilize to be proactive in preventing that burnout feeling:
1. Be realistic: Being realistic is such an essential first step to the caregiving process. When beginning the process, one can feel as though caregiving is their sole responsibility. This can also lead some to believe that the caregiving role will be one that will always positively impact the patient’s condition. For cases of patients that suffer from diseases that will inevitably progress, this is an unrealistic mindset to keep. Understand that you do have the power to make the patient’s caregiving process one that is pleasant, but that in some instances, this will not translate to improving the overall progression of their disease.
2. Stay organized: Create a schedule for that week based on the patient’s appointments and needs as well as your own. When you create a schedule, it allows you the ability to identify days and times you can employ assistance, as well as alleviates the stress of having to figure out what’s next in your day-to-day caregiving process.
3. It’s okay to ask for help: Part of keeping a realistic mindset is understanding that the caregiving process can be overwhelming and is a feat that can’t be completed alone. You may feel as though this process is solely your responsibility, and it most definitely is not. Find individuals within your network that you can trust to also care for the patient when needed. Whether it be a relative or someone that you work within the caregiving industry, find someone you can lean on. This leads us to our next tip.
4. Support system: Have you ever heard the phrase “it takes a village”?Well, this saying most definitely lends itself to the caregiving process. Contrary to what you may believe, you are not alone. Good and bad days affect everyone, and the caregiving position is no exception. Having individuals that create a positive atmosphere for you can alleviate some of the stress and worry that you may face. Gather those confidants in your life and keep them close.
5. Do not neglect your own health and wellbeing: Sometimes, during the caregiving process, you may feel as though you have to neglect your own needs because they conflict with the needs of your patient. This is the time when you must employ assistance. Neglecting your own needs is the quickest way for any individual to feel stressed and depressed. So, go to those doctor appointments, take those breaks, and make the time for the things and people that you love, and always remember that the care you put into yourself will affect the care you put into others.
Thanks for reading and make sure to check out CuraConnector.com to find the best health care provider for your needs. What are some of your tips for preventing burnout? Join the discussion and share your thoughts!
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