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Solving disputes is never easy but these tips on dispute resolution can help you in your role as a live-in carer.
As a carer, your role is to aid your client to live at home comfortably and so keeping disputes and disagreements to a minimum should of course be your aim. However, when you live with your client, just like living with anyone else, the occasional disagreement is sometimes unavoidable.
Knowing how best to handle and solve disputes as a live-in carer is vital in order to form a successful relationship with your client. Quick and efficient dispute resolution is an invaluable skill as a live-in carer and these tips should help you to manage disagreements which may arise during your time with your client.
Listen
The most important thing you must do when a dispute arises during your role as a live-in carer is to listen to your client’s point of view. If your client, or their family, feel as though you are dismissing their opinions or frustrations then the dispute is unlikely to be resolved. Allow the other person to vent their feelings and listen to their point of view and try to understand it. Only then can a calm discussion be had and hopefully a resolution can be found.
Be empathetic
Empathy is a key skill for any carer as the ability to understand how your client is feeling helps you to care for them and help them to maintain their independence and dignity. Showing empathy during disputes will help you to ensure that your client knows you are attempting to see the problem from their point of view and that you understand how they are feeling and why. This should help you and your client to work together towards a solution which works for everyone.
Get plenty of opinions
The best resolutions are often found when you are in possession of all the facts and plenty of opinions. If you and your client are having a dispute about their care then you both may benefit from hearing the opinions of your client’s family and doctors. If the dispute is a personal one, you may benefit from talking to your employer or care agency. According to the Live-in Care Hub, many live-in carers experience disputes with clients but find that getting advice and opinions of others can help resolve the matter on both sides.
Stay neutral
While it may be your instinct to defend yourself and your position, being defensive during a dispute can only serve to extend the disagreement and make finding a solution a more prolonged experience. Avoid reactive language and try not to get worked up, even if you hear some personal comments made by your client. Diseases such as Alzheimer’s or dementia can often cause a change in personality and your client may experience mood swings. Staying calm and composed during any disagreement will help to diffuse tense situations and help to resolve the matter quickly.
Give time and space
Disputes with anyone can be tense but when you live-in with your client, disagreements can feel even more intense. It is important to try and give time and space for you and your client to think about your own views and the views of the other person. This space and time may be all the situation needs in order for the problem to be solved.
