Q: My mom loves her caregiver, but I feel like I am having a hard time connecting with her. What are some tips on how I can better communicate with her?
A:Caregivers need an environment to express personal needs and client concerns, while receiving necessary guidance. Though it may seem simple, effective communication takes a lot of effort.
Establish Trust- Caregiver trust is earned through personalized, individual interactions centered on more than what is happening at work. Caregivers who display these attributes with their clients will be more productive and engaged. Caregivers may not know all the answers, but having a relationship of trust ensures they feel comfortable coming to you when they need help.
Observe & Listen- Communication is a two-way process, so be sure you’re not doing all the talking. Listening to the solutions your caregivers suggest will help you understand what works best for them, even if you can’t always implement their requests.
Prepare in Advance- Conducting monthly or annual reviews with your caregivers will keep the communication door opening both ways. However, advance preparation is required for each review to be effective. This will keep you from straying too far from topics and not forgetting an area of discussion.
Set Clear Expectations- Caregivers who understand what their job includes will be more satisfied overall. When holding a review with a caregiver, ask what they think their job involves, verifying that expectations have been clear. Caregivers often become irritated and disconnected from their agency when they feel you’ve been unclear about your expectations. Help your caregivers see their value and understand that there is still a job to be done.
Avoid Assumptions- Making assumptions about your caregivers harms your relationship with them. When a caregiver is upset, ask them about it instead of assuming you know why. Follow up with what they would like to see changed and go from there. When determining what course of action to take regarding the issue, keep in mind the solution needs to be tailored to the caregiver individually. Caregivers will be more receptive to solutions when they can see you trying to understand how they feel.
| 
