Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say
Regardless whether you are a family or a professional caregiver, understanding the principles of clear communication will help you be a more effective caregiver and a better advocate for the person in your care.
Why is there a critical need for better communication between health care professionals, home care companions, patients and family caregivers? Because good communication helps people clear up misunderstandings and confusion quickly, builds positive relationships and leads to better care.
Most of all, good communication reduces stress for everyone. It helps create the possibility that your caregiving experience (both professional and family) will be a time of personal growth and satisfaction.
Steps to Effective Communication
To create a positive, productive relationship with healthcare providers, apply the following principles in a consistent, balanced way.
1. Establish Presence
Make eye contact with the people around you. Focus your attention and listen with your “heart” as well as your mind.
2. Participate Actively
To make your doctor’s visit more effective:
- Be prepared—Think about your goals for your appointment. Clearly state your purpose—Give the reason why you are seeking medical help.
- Give relevant information— Focus on the most important information first.
- Ask questions—Be certain you understand what is taking place, what your care recipient needs, and what you should be doing.
- Be assertive—Without being rude or overbearing, explain your needs and what you are not able to do.
3. Build Mutual Understanding
Building understanding and trust is a process. Practice the following and your ability to communicate will grow stronger.
- Active listening— Really listen and don’t tune out if you disagree.
- Ask for clarification— Try to understand the meaning that the speaker intends. Ask questions. Check your understanding by saying “The part that isn’t clear to me is…” Demonstrate Understanding—Use phrases such as “So what you are saying is…”
- Avoid Assumptions—Ask questions until you are sure of what is being said. Say “If I understand you right, you mean…” State your difficulties and concerns—If you have a worry or concern, state them briefly and clearly.
4. Encourage Collaboration
Work actively as part of a team.
- Focus on common goals—Agree on the actions that need to be taken to achieve those goals.
- Clarify responsibilities—Be clear on who is responsible for what. Make sure that the people involved can do what they are responsible for. If needed, get extra help along the way with a particular task.
- Speak openly and honestly— Explain how you and the person in your care are responding emotionally to the treatment plan.
- Help with problem solving As the caregiver, you have important information about what may be contributing to problems or causing difficulties. Share this information with the health care team.
- Express appreciation— Remember to say “thank you.”
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