Family or professional caregivers work with different clients, some are easy to deal with, and others can be more difficult. While a caregiver is aware of the difficulties a client faces in trying to adjust to their current reality, these difficulties can be frustrating to caregivers. Therefore, it is the role of caregivers to take control of the situation by developing strategies that will help them deal with difficult clients. In today’s article, we suggest the following simple yet effective strategies for caregivers dealing with difficult clients:

• Building Trust with Clients

One of the main reason clients can be hostile or difficult towards a caregiver is the lack of trust. It could be because the caregiver is new, or they experienced some form of violation with their previous caregiver. To build trust, caregivers should learn the habits, situational responses, and behavior patterns of their clients without violating their privacy. By understanding them and a being professional shows that you care and that they can rely on you at any time. You can also use what you learn about them to create a personalized care plan to meet all their needs.

Related Article: A Word with Caregivers: Building A Strong Relationship with Clients

• Learn to Listen and Act

Actively listening to a client should involve paying attention, not interrupting, taking time to understand what they are saying, and acting on their concerns. Maintaining eye contact assures the client that you are listening and allows them to express themselves freely. By actively listening, you can also recognize manipulation, and instead of arguing back or agreeing to it, you can devise counter-approaches that will address manipulation.

• Do Not Take Their Difficult Behavior Personally

Most clients are often complaining about a problem and not you as the caregiver. You should therefore take yourself away from the problem and find out what exactly is going on. Consider how they feel and avoid generalizing their concerns. If they are making a personal attack, realize that there could be a bigger issue making them upset and work with them to find out what it could be. To better handle personal attacks, you can always ask them what they are or not comfortable with, and make changes that do not compromise care, general well-being, or safety.

• Be Compassionate and Patient

Positive responses and empathy when a client is being difficult show and make them realize you care. Always apologize for any negative experiences and clarify the matter. Use positive language at all times and be patient as you work towards building a better relationship with your client. Pleasant simulators can also be effective in creating a positive atmosphere to divert the client’s attention to a more pleasurable line of thought or activity.

• Understand Your Client’s Triggers

Client hostility, especially in their behavior, can be triggered by different reasons. At times they might want to be left alone or a cry for attention towards something or companionship. As a caregiver, you should avoid anything that triggers hostile behavior to avoid making care giving difficult. In cases where behavioral hostility results from the condition, like Dementia, devise solutions that will provide the best care for the client.

Related Article: Home Care Services: Dementia Care

• Track Your Client’s Progress and Follow Up

Tracking progress and following up shows the client that you are in control of their concerns at all times. It is important to keep a record of their concerns and ask them if there has been an improvement over these issues. These records will help you understand whether they are making positive or negative improvements, allowing you to make modifications as needed.

• Work with The Family

Involve the family by evaluating and discussing what a client is or is not comfortable with during care. With the involvement of an experienced case manager from a home care agency, the caregiver and the family can create a plan that will ease a difficult client’s worries. A professional caregiver reassures the family that their loved one is in safe hands at their home’s comfort.