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June 12, 2018 by Kirk Brechbiel

5 Tips to Improve Caregiver-Patient Communication

Communication is challenging. We use it in every part of our life, whether it’s verbal or non-verbal, and we rely on communication to convey our wants and needs.

Now imagine the unique challenges caregivers and patients face when trying to communicate with one another in a new and unfamiliar environment, or when health issues create roadblocks. If you have an aging friend or family member who relies on the help of a professional caregiver, know that there are tips and resources that can help you facilitate stronger, clearer communication between both parties. Take a look!

  1. Set a weekly meeting to talk about important issues.

Pick a day and time and make it a weekly, recurring meeting where the patient and caregiver can go over important issues. It may be helpful to have a third-party sit in on these meetings, like the patients spouse or adult children. Some common topics that should be discussed are health concerns, changes in moods or behaviors, changes in needs and expectations for care, the schedule for the upcoming week and ways to improve everyone’s experience. Through weekly meetings, you will have scheduled time for discussion so issues are left unaddressed for long periods of time.

  1. Have multiple ways to communicate.

Not everyone prefers the same communication channels. Especially with aging adults, certain technologies or skills such as speaking, typing or writing can become increasingly difficult. Be sure to have multiple ways for caregivers and patients to communicate with each other and with other members of the family. Caregivers may want to call, text or email with family members to communicate important information. But when communicating with their patient, caregivers may prefer speaking face-to-face or writing things down for them to read. Often it’s trial and error! Be patient to find the communication channels that work best for your situation – and be flexible!

  1. Check in with each party independently.

If you are the friend or family member of an aging loved one who has a professional caregiver, you should  check in with the caregiver independently of your loved one, and vice versa. This creates a safe space for open communication about hard-to-address topics. For example, a caregiver may have noticed a decline in health and need to recommend additional care and assistance for your loved one. Or your loved one may feel their needs are not being fully met and want to talk about their expectations for quality care. As a third-party listener, you are a valuable communication channel who can help mediate issues before they grow into larger concerns.

  1. Address concerns quickly.

And when it comes to voiced concerns, the key is to address them quickly. Any issue is worth examining because a caregiver-patient relationship is quite intimate and greatly impacts quality of life for both parties. Even something as minor as a negative attitude or resistance to care can manifest into larger, more concerning issues, if not addressed immediately. Don’t forget to include your home care provider in the conversation, as they have vast experience working with both caregivers and patients to resolve just about every issue you can imagine.

  1. Pay attention to non-verbal communication.

Equally as important as verbal communication is non-verbal cues that can give you insight into larger issues that are slowly coming to a boil. For example, a patient’s body language around a caregiver, facial expressions and mood can alert you of negative emotions that could manifest into negative behavior in the future. Likewise, a caregiver’s non-verbal communication toward a patient is another way they can demonstrate love, respect, comfort and friendship. If these important cues feel “off” or indicate there may be tension between the two parties, it’s worth addressing this early and often.

What is your favorite tip for improving caregiver communication? Or do you have another to share? Leave a comment below!

Filed Under: Blog, Caregiver Tagged With: aging loved one, best practices, care, caregiver, communicate, communication, conflict, elderly, ella home care, family, home care, how to, mediation, old, patient, professional care giver, resources, senior adult, tips

June 5, 2018 by Kirk Brechbiel

How to Keep Your Aging Loved One Safe and Healthy this Summer

Here in Central Pennsylvania, it feels like we wait most of the year for warm and sunny weather. It’s natural for us to want to get outside and enjoy every minute of it! However, we must use common sense when it comes to exposing ourselves to the sun and heat. Especially for older adults, the summer months pose real safety concerns such as dehydration, sunburn and heat exhaustion.

In an effort to keep our aging loved ones safe this summer, take a look at some tips for helping senior adults be proactive when it comes to beating the heat!

Wear Layers

Encourage your loved ones to dress in layers during the summer months. While they may feel cold in the morning or indoors with the AC on, during the afternoon and into the evening, things warm up quickly. Especially if you plan to go outside for any amount of time, plan ahead by wearing easy to remove layers that can quickly come off when the heat kicks in.

Apply Sunscreen

Even when covered up with layers, begin each morning by applying sunscreen. Whether you will be simply sitting in the sun for any period of time, or plan to be walking, gardening, etc., sunscreen is so important to keep your skin safe. Not only will it prevent the discomfort of sunburn, it will prevent serious long-term damage that may cause skin cancer. Sunscreen at every age is important, but especially for our aging loved ones who may need assistance applying it.

Give Air Conditioning Units a Check-Up

The worst time to figure out your air conditioning unit no longer works is in the heat of summer when you need it most. Help your aging loved one give their AC unit a check-up prior to the dog days of summer by scheduling an HVAC company to come and test everything out. If they do need a new unit, you will be able to plan ahead and have everything up and running before it becomes a danger to their health.

Limit Time Outside During Peak Heat Hours

Watch the forecast and plan your day accordingly. Avoid outdoor activities when temperatures reach into the 80’s and above. Be sure to also take humidity and wind into account. Early mornings are a great time to enjoy sunshine without the direct heat. Also seek shaded spots to relax, rather than placing an aging loved one in direct sunlight.

Stay Hydrated

Have cold water readily available and within reach. Some seniors may not have the ability to refill their own water bottles or drink from a cup. Be sure they have assistance throughout the day to meet these basic needs to stay hydrated. Even for seniors who are physically capable of providing themselves with water, like anyone, they will need encouragement to remember how much water they should drink in a day.

Have a Plan for Help

Most importantly, develop an action plan for getting help. Your loved one needs to know how to speak up when they feel too hot, thirsty or weak. Clearly communicate, and create a reminder, of who they should contact for any number of emergencies. Do a test run to make sure they are comfortable with the process. The peace of mind is well worth the effort!

How do you plan to help an aging loved one stay safe this summer? Share your favorite tip by leaving a comment below!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: adult, aging, aging loved one, care, caregiver, caution, dehydraution, elderly, ella home care, heat, home care, in home care, old, patient, professional caregiver, resources, safety, senior, summer, sunburn, sunscreen, tips

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