Valuing my role
Susan
Susan’s social life is less active than it used to be and you sense that this might be getting her down.
The Experts-by-Experience Viewpoint…
Susan’s scheduled care tasks are complete but the Expert by Experience Panel (EEP) agreed that the role of the care worker in this situation is to see the person and go beyond the tasks on the care plan. Again, communication is important and the EEP agreed that the care worker should be proactive in asking Susan about how she is feeling and show interest in the photographs she is looking at.
There is also potentially a role for the care worker in linking Susan up with other support services so she can expand her social circle (if this is something she would like to explore) and perhaps speaking to their employer about how to arrange this.
The EEP felt that communication was key, and the care worker should be careful not to ignore or dismiss these emotional support needs, even if it is not written in the care plan.
Mr Timms
Mr Timms used to be great company but, as his dementia has advanced, he has become withdrawn. This makes you feel sad.
The Experts-by-Experience Viewpoint…
This scenario resonated with the Expert by Experience Panel (EEP) and they agreed that the care worker has both a role to play in supporting Mr Timms and a responsibility to look after their own wellbeing too. The EEP suggested that chatting with Mr Timms about how he is feeling and where he might seek additional support would be a good action to take, as would keeping talking to him as the care worker has done previously.
Rejecting Mr Timms by either asking not to visit him anymore, rushing his visits or by stopping chatting with him were viewed as bad ways of handling the situation. They undermine the relationship and trust that has been built up over a long period of time.
The EEP very much recognised that the care worker also needs support in this situation too. It is natural for the care worker to feel sad and to need to talk about how the situation is making them feel. To protect confidentiality, it was suggested that they should talk to other care workers within their organisation about how they are feeling and seek support from their supervisor.
Lloyd
Lloyd is introduced in the scenario as someone you have been working with over a long period of time.
Lloyd is described as a “people person”, and is being supported for loneliness, and therefore the nature and quality of your relationship is likely to be important.
The Experts-by-Experience Viewpoint…
A person centred approach acknowledges our unique circumstances and personalities, and also includes reciprocal aspects to caring relationships. The panel felt honouring Lloyds personal qualities was of upmost importance in this scenario.
The Experts by Experience felt it was important to validate Lloyd’s emotional intelligence. To mislead Lloyd by saying there is no problem might mean that Lloyd doubts his judgement, and doubts how well he feels he can relate to you. The panel felt that it was okay to say a little about how you are feeling. They also felt that you should avoid implying that your feelings are not his business, or that he is wrong to ask.
However, it would not be appropriate to divulge too much or to ask for help, which could place an unhelpful strain on the care relationship or lead to future problems.
Stephen
The scenario suggests Stephen is having a good day and can do things for himself which he would usually require support with.
His daughter clearly thinks there are other things you could be doing to support Stephen, but the scenario indicates that Stephen himself would prefer you to sit and talk.
The Experts-by-Experience Viewpoint…
This scenario shows a chance to build a care relationship, and to give Stephen an opportunity to share his recent events with you. This is an important relational part of care work and gives Stephen an opportunity to share his interests and enjoy reliving his experiences.
Inviting Stephen’s daughter to join you may help her to see the role this conversation plays in his welfare. The Experts by Experience felt that leaving the table to fnd other tasks would undermine Stephen’s decisions about his support, and may lead to missed opportunities to build your relationship.
Telling his daughter that it was Stephen’s idea even though this is true could be seen as a breach of trust and should be avoided.
