Supporting People
Think of supporting a client as working in partnership with them. You each bring important knowledge and experience. They are in the best position to understand their needs while you have been trained to support their efforts to meet those needs. By assisting them with their activities of daily living and healthcare goals while honoring their preferences, you support their choice, independence, and safety.
Promoting Choice, Direction, and Control
Having control over our own life has a positive effect on our well-being. Promoting a client’s ability to make their own decisions and choices is one of your most important responsibilities. As you get to know the people you support, you will learn their daily routines and preferences/ EAch day that you work with them is an opportunity to support their choices about how they receive care and live their lives.
For the example activities, reference the orange text boxes on page 16 of your text.
Promoting Self-Determination, Self-Direction, Autonomy, and Independence
As a caregiver, you support a client’s ability to be independent. Each client will need different kinds and levels of support in their daily life. In some cases, the client will need you to perform the entire task. However, in many cases, you will be providing just as much assistance as they need to complete the task themselves.
Exercising Power With Rather than Power Over
“Power over” is the practice of “fixing things” as you see fit. It is natural for a caregiver to want to fix things on their client’s behalf. Try to resist the urge to do so without asking.
“Power with” means that you support your client’s autonomy and independence by asking them if they would like assistance, how much, and what kind.
Try not to think about sharing responsibilities as “allowing” or “letting” the client do something. “Power with” is a client-directed teamwork and decision support.
Building Healthy Relationships
Building authentic, healthy relationships with clients makes person-centered interaction possible. This does not mean becoming your client’s best friend or doing whatever they want whenever they want it. You also need to maintain professional boundaries and consider your scope of practice. Work to be transparent, trustworthy, and respectful, and solve problems in a constructive way. Listening first and being honest when responding is the very best policy.
Facilitating Teamwork
As a caregiver, you are part of a team that works together to support the client. Each client chooses their team, and each team will be different. It will be your responsibility to know and work with your client’s team (including family and informal support). Consider each person’s support role and responsibilities. Help facilitated team interaction and make sure the client retains control.
Tailoring your Care
The term “person-centered care” suggests that you will want to adjust your care practice to each individual’s needs and preferences. As you learn about each client and build a relationship with them, you will come to know how best to support them. However, knowing is not enough – you must decide to act on that knowledge. Always pay attention to the effect your support is having on the client. Consider (with your client), what is working. What is not working? Adapt your care as your client’s needs and preferences change. Keep in mind that everyone changes over time. And sometimes we simply change our minds temporarily. Before providing support, re-affirm with your client. If a client’s preferences and needs change over time, it is important to notify your supervisor or your client’s case manager so the service plan can be updated to reflect current care needs.
Advocating for the Person
Supporting a person includes advocating for them. As a caregiver, you spend a lot of time with your client and can get to know them well. You have an important role in helping to protect their health, safety, rights, and comfort.
Encourage your client to self-advocate for quality and equitable care services. Advocate on their behalf when they ask you to. You might help them maintain control of health services, make sure their voice is heard in team discussions, make sure they are engaging in meaningful activities, and work with them to have the community interactions they value.
For the end of unit summary and quiz, go to page 18 of your text.