As the need for caregivers increases, so do the expectations for the level of service that is provided by caregivers. Not only are the clinical needs of older adults becoming more complex, but so are the social and emotional needs. With more than three-quarters of people wanting to age in place, according to AARP, the need for caregivers to provide individualized care is essential. Achieving this to the client’s satisfaction is not an easy feat. Caregivers successful in this are recognized as the best and thus are in high demand.
There is an art to providing top-level care for clients that begins with seeking to understand the client’s needs, well beyond the basics of personal care. Once there’s a clear understanding, the best caregivers learn to anticipate their client’s preferences and needs so that they can consistently deliver the best possible service. To truly understand a client, a caregiver must consider the following:
- Values: When actions align with values, there is harmony in the client-caregiver relationship. Misalignment can lead to unhappiness and discord.
- What are values and why are they important?
- How can a caregiver work to integrate their own values with those of the client?
- What can a caregiver do when values don’t align?
- Communication: Communication can be verbal or nonverbal. Professionalism and respect are critical in maintaining a positive relationship between caregiver and client.
- How can a caregiver recognize how their responses may make a client feel?
- How can a caregiver maintain a professional attitude during challenging situations?
- Why are nonverbal responses just as important as verbal responses, and how can a caregiver control their body language?
- Handling Difficult Situations: Caregivers have a choice in how to handle criticism or conflict, and how they respond makes a difference in their relationship with their client.
- What is the difference between factual, emotion-based, and solution-focused feedback, and how can a caregiver learn to apply these most effectively?
- How can a caregiver learn to recognize the impact of their words?
- How can a caregiver learn not to take criticism personally?
CompassCare Works™ training encompasses the above and much more. Students learn to tailor their practices to deliver excellent service, enabling them to work with the most diverse clients, delivering high-quality, exceptional customer service every time.
An introduction to CompassCare Works™ is included in the CompassCare Institute of Caregiving CNA Program, setting this training apart. Our full CompassCare Works™ training program is coming in 2024. Stay tuned!