Communication Article

Communication Skills for Caregivers: Is it Necessary?

from: Christine Gray




Absolutely YES! If you think that caregivers do not need communication skills, then you are having the wrong idea. This is because caregivers required to effectively communicate well with their patients.



Developing good communication skills for the caregiver is a very important part of the caregiver training. The old, disabled or sick people, need the full caregiver's attention. However, each of them might have different requirements and their expectations can be relatively different from person to person. Therefore, being able to learn how to communicate with them properly is a great advantage. As a caregiver, you must be cautious about on the use of words and actions. These can be learned on communication skills enhancement or training.



But "what exactly is a caregiver?"



A caregiver is a person who attends to the needs old, disabled person or dependent child. Caregivers should be flexible since they need to adapt on the needs of their patients. In relation to these, caregivers car be assigned to a Spanish, French or other foreign community where they have to cater to an aged person who cannot speak good English. This is one of the very reason why many caregiver courses incorporate communication skills and language courses in their curriculum.




When dealing with older people, the basic of communication skills for the caregiver is important, for example, looking at someone and making eye contact is vital in human connection and showing respect. Constructive communication is the key to dealing with older people diagnosed with an illness in our care.



Some basic guidelines for good communication skills for the caregiver in rendering care to younger and dependable people are:



· Be clear and specific when communicating with your patient. Speak directly to the person and do not him guess what you need from them. You have to tell them what you want and say this in a charming pleasant manner.



· Instead of using "You" messages, make use of "I" messages. This way, you are expressing your feelings without blaming your patient or making them to act defensive.



· Recognize the rights and feelings of your patient. Do not say something that will intentionally hurt them.



· As a vital part of communication especially in rendering care to the sick, you have to be a good listener. People not only sick adults and children want someone who can listen to them to express their feelings. When a sick person, child or dependable adult wants to express something and they are not given attention, they tend to misbehave and withdraw.



· Use body language to improve communication between you and your patient. (This includes non verbal cues and gestures)


· Encourage them and reassure when they need help.



· Pay attention to them all the time.



· Do not attempt to complete a person's thoughts or sentences when he is communicating with you.



· Use a tone of voice which suits the conversation. For example if your patient needs to hear something good from you, you have to use an encouraging tone.



· Wait for response to questions and acknowledge feelings of your patient even if you do not agree with them.



· Listen to the language terms which the old person uses in communicating with you, when responding, make use of simple terminologies and language that suit his understanding.



· Most sick, aged and dependable people like to be addressed a certain way, if they prefer to be addressed in such way, then address them that way. This makes it easy for you and your patient to relate with one another.



As a caregiver, these pointers would effectively help you in relating better with your patient. It will help you understand them and know how and what they are feeling in times of troubles.



Christine Gray is a recognized authority on the subject of communication skills. Her website www.selfimprovementsguide.com provides a wealth of informative articles and resources on everything you will need to know about self improvement. All rights reserved. Articles may be reprinted as long as the content and links remains intact and unchanged.