Learning about People
Getting to know the people you care for is important. The very best caregivers will always try to learn more about the people they work with and care for. That process of getting to know someone more fully over time is often called discovery.
A Commitment to (Ongoing) Discovery
You might first learn about the client from their service plan. You may also get information from other care team members (including friends and family). However, the best source of information is the client themselves.
Getting to know someone takes time. your client may not want to be interviewed for hours when you first meet, or maybe they are excited to speak with you about themselves. Everyone is different. Either way, let this process happen naturally as you perform other caregiving tasks. Show real interest in their life, what they think, and how they feel. Your client wants you to care about them and not just for them.
Discovering the WHOLE Person
It is important to learn about your client’s physical health needs and the services they receive, but it is equally important to consider their strengths and abilities. We all appreciated being understood as the complex human beings that we are.
Make an honest effort to really get to know the client as a person. As your relationship grows and they learn to trust you, they may open up and become more comfortable sharing.
- Who are they?
- What have they done in their lives?
- What can they do well?
- What do they believe and value?
- What motivates them?
- What meaningful activities do they enjoy?
- What relationships are most important to them?
- How do they perceive themselves and want to be perceived?
- What would they like to learn more about.
For an example scenario check page 11 of your text.