“Listening requires having a genuine interest in what the other has to offer, even if it is far from what we feel, or wish they were saying. It is this non-judgmental quality which creates the safety for deeper exchange to take place; it allows the speaker to risk exposing the controversial, the unformed dreams and the unacknowledged conflicts that may be blocking action or producing counterproductive action.”
~ Shields, Katrina, "In the Tiger's Mouth," 1994.
How do your providers support you? Do they:
- Provide encouragement and comfort?
- Acknowledge your efforts and contribution?
- Work with you as ‘partners in care?’
- Assess your needs?
- Offer support and information about resources?
- Support you to plan for respite, do respite, and feel respite?
If you answered yes to these questions, great! You are well on your way to a positive partnership with your provider. If not, tell your providers what you need from them as a caregiver.
How can your provider support you as ‘partners in care?’
Most caregivers want to be involved in the care of their family member or friend. How we build relationships and partnerships together is a critical first step in realizing our common goals to ensure positive outcomes for both you and the care receiver. The following are examples of ways you can support a positive relationship with your provider:
- Reflect on your caregiving situation, home environment, mental and emotional stress, and the quality of relationship between yourself and care receiver.
- Gain knowledge by using available resources, in order to better understand the various stages and aspects of caregiving, as well as the experiences of the care receiver.
- Share your knowledge of your needs and the needs of the care receiver with your provider.
- Provide honest and constructive feedback to the provider in order to ensure that mutual understanding is reached and that the provider is clear about how to provide support to meet your needs.
- Ask about respite and other forms of support.