8 tips to enhance the relationship between patient-carer in homecare
The patient-carer relationship can often be tenuous and challenging, but being a carer is also incredibly rewarding. It is easy for tempers to flare and patience to wane in the homecare setting, which is typically characterised by serious illness or impairment. However, the patient-carer relationship has a significant effect on patient care and satisfaction if it is based on mutual trust and compassion. No matter how challenging the carer-patient relationship may be at times, it must be maintained in order for the patient to receive quality care and recover.
In this article, we will discuss what a patient-carer relationship is and tips to improve it and form a genuine bond.
The relationship between patient-carer is important for the health and well-being of the individual in care. Patients want to trust the efficiency and competency of the carer and to be treated with dignity and respect. Patients would also want to know how their health condition will affect their lives, and they might have fears and concerns that need to be addressed. Carers will thus have to maintain a professional, courteous, and interpersonal relationship with patients, even in challenging situations.
The following eight measures should be taken to improve the patient-carer relationship and establish a genuine bond:
1. Learn to ask for help:
The patient-carer relationship is extremely intimate and frequently fraught with difficulties, disorientation, and emotionally and physically taxing situations. Transparency and the capacity to ask for assistance are two of the first steps towards effective communication and a safe, healing relationship. This is true for both the carer and the patient.
For the carer and patient to develop a trusting relationship, the patient must be able to request assistance when necessary, and the carer must be able to ask the patient for assistance in comprehending something new or expressing a preference or concern in order to provide quality care. Asking for help is central to communication, which is important for the rest of the patient-carer relationship.
2. Exercise compassion:
People who seek homecare services in the UK are often severely disabled, injured, or may not have full command of brain function and capacities such as motor skills, memory, and speech. These types of disabilities are difficult and can easily create frustration among both the client and the carer. However, frustration results in strained and fractured relationships, which is inappropriate in the context of elderly homecare services. Instead of allowing frustration to rule, carers and patients should strive to demonstrate compassion. Compassion for oneself and others enables individuals to soften their emotions towards another person and arrive at a place of open communication.
3. Establish trust:
It is possible for patients to ask for little to no help from a new carer, as human nature always believes in and prefers self-reliance. When it comes to elderly homecare services, the possibility of asking for help lessens as they feel like they are losing whatever shred of independence they have left. Once a trustworthy relationship has been established with the patient, including carers responding when required and treating the patient with respect while performing their duties competently and professionally, patients will find it easier to ask for assistance.
4. Understanding the patient's likes and dislikes:
Even though the client now requires assistance with their daily life, there is no reason for them to give away their likes and dislikes. Carers should try to understand their clients likes and dislikes and encourage them to do what they like, thereby creating a fun-filled environment for them. For instance, if a patient used to enjoy taking walks in the park prior to becoming disabled, caretakers should consider taking them outside in their wheelchairs for a stroll so that they feel refreshed. When clients' requirements are taken into account, both the patient-carer relationship and the patient's health will benefit.
5. Be patient:
Patients with traumatic brain injuries frequently struggle with abilities such as speech and memory. In addition, because traumatic brain injuries frequently affect the region of the brain that regulates response to stimuli, risk-taking, and adherence to rules, injured individuals may exhibit a decreased regard for rules and an increase in hazardous or even dangerous behaviour.
In such situations, carers should be more careful with such patients, as they are not in complete control of their actions and minds after going through a traumatic injury. A carer should give extra time for such a patient to calm down and think clearly. This typically requires logic, positivity, and empathy.
6. Use encouragement:
Encouragement can bring out the best in a patient. Alongside motivating people to behave differently when needed, encouragement also helps boost a patient's morale and self-esteem, making them feel capable and in charge of their lives. Moreover, encouragement also helps to build the patient-carer relationship and ensure its success.
7. Be a good listener:
In order to establish a smooth patient-carer relationship, carers should learn to listen to their patients. This will not only strengthen the bond but also improve communication and understanding between the two parties. Additionally, it helps the carers pick up any potential warning signs.
When carrying out a conversation with the client, make sure to maintain eye contact, but don't intimidate them. Furthermore, face the person when they are speaking and ask relevant questions so that the client feels heard and respected. However, avoid interruption and interpretation as much as possible.
8. Practise respect:
Once a homecare service begins, the carer is inevitably placed in a position of authority in relation to the patient, as they must assert control over the patient's health, wellness, and safety. However, throughout the duration of caregiving, carers should treat the homes of their patients as a workplace and respect them, their families, their belongings, and their general likes and dislikes. This will motivate the patient to return the respect, which leads to less distress and an increased feeling of relaxation and comfort. Moreover, this encourages increased communication and improves service outcomes.
While providing care, both the patient and the carer develop a deeper bond and a safe patient-carer relationship by exercising empathy, compassion, active listening, respect, transparency, and patience. In a homecare setting, these types of relationships are integral to creating healing and comfort. Even though homecare relationships can be challenging, both the carer and the patient can take simple measures to improve and develop a lasting bond.
If you are looking for carers who can provide the best quality care for you or your loved one, contact us. Nurses Group Homecare Yeovil UK is the leading care provider, offering carers who are qualified and skilled to meet your needs.