Post Type: ARTICLES
Overview
Home care is designed to help seniors with all their day-to-day needs while maintaining a senior’s autonomy. It is a type of senior care that falls between senior independent living and a full-service nursing home. Seniors who opt for home care are well enough to maintain autonomy, yet they need some assistance with daily responsibilities.
| Why Seniors Choose home care |
|
| The Main Features of Assisted Living: |
|
Difficult clients
In carrying out our assignment we are supposed to bring change in the lives of our clients and customers. I look at the hair dressing industry and I see many changes. Chemicals and treatments that are being used in clients’ hair continued to cause hair damage. As a result, several Afro American are going natural or wearing wigs or braids today.
There are difficult clients in home care who need to be cared for regardless of how they behave and how severe the memory loss is. Yet like the hair industry there is little or no change in the way these clients are treated. Often times, these clients are moved from one Agency to another or the Aide is changed very often.
Those in leadership fail to have an individualized plan for these clients. As I encountered a challenging case recently I began to think about what could be done differently.
I responded with kindness to this client but was met with so much resistance. First the care giver failed to let me know what the client could do without help. This would have helped me tremendously. Where I work currently I feed, guide and dress my client. I could not approach this client with the same technique.
The next factor is that the caregiver set out a schedule outlining the different time and tasks for the day. The client refused to follow. The fact that the client had nothing to drink or eat all night means that she may not need to use the bathroom at 9am. Upon waking up she was soaking wet and still got the opportunity to use the bathroom by 8am. Here the client genuinely has a reason not to cooperate. She doesn’t need to use the bathroom just yet.
Another issue is that other Aides found her difficult to handle and they did not come back. It is evident that this client has gone through many aides and Agencies. As a result, she will not bond with someone new. Maybe, she is thinking that the new aide will leave as the others did.
There may be other issues of trust, abuse, and or lack of compassion. However there is constant frustration on every side. Therefore time must be taken out to find an individualized plan for each client.
One thing that I admired about this Caregiver is the fact that she had a system in place. First, she prepares three meals for the day. A schedule is made up with the time to eat, to take medication, bathroom visits and bedtime. The client starts the day with a shower and ends the day with wash up. In addition, a camera is in place to ensure that there is no abuse. Although this system needs some improvement it is workable.
One other area that could be looked into is for equipment and or tools which would help this client to stand up. There are recliner chairs in the market that pushes the client almost in a standing position. In addition, there are grab bars, rails, Hoyer lifts and gaiter belts available.
Another downfall is the fact that Aides are not treated properly. In a case where one is on the job for twenty four hours or longer provision must be in place to prepare and eat hot meals. Other issues were no lunch breaks, no comfortable seating, lack of adequate space for personal items and your person.
These factors are some of the reasons Aides did not return. My process would be different as a CEO. As much as clients are an important factor in the business aides or workers are equally important. My workers must be treated with respect, have lunch breaks, adequate space and provision for hot meals. Before I send my aide into an environment certain things must be in place. This would be written up and re emphasized.
There are rewards in home care that goes beyond money. When an Aide works hard to bring quality of life to clients and is appreciated that is a reward. Words like,” thank you,” a smile and or a squeeze of the hand means more to me than money. It means that my client is satisfied with my service.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
