Guest Post
As only a part-time caregiver to my grandmother,
I feel fortunate that her caregivers are both caring and attentive to her needs
and respect her as an individual. However, I’m all too aware that senior
neglect and abuse are widespread in some nursing homes and retirement
communities. However, these circumstances aren’t always mean-spirited. Even
well-meaning individuals with sound moral reasoning can accidentally neglect
those that they care for.
In dealing with those in need on a daily basis,
many of those in caregiving and medical professions experience what is called
secondary traumatic stress, or what is more simply known as compassion
fatigue. This results in increased stress and anxiety,
and creates indifference or even an extremely negative attitude towards others.
Some studies have found that up to 85% of health care workers experience at
least one symptom of compassion fatigue.
Being aware of the risks that this can have
towards one’s professional performance – and more importantly, how this can
manifest itself as abuse and neglect towards those who need their help – is an
essential duty of every caregiver. If you are in the care of a neglectful
caregiver, or are related to a family member whom you suspect to be a victim,
you should first attempt to contact your nursing home supervisor. If their
response is defensive or dismissive, or if they do not respond at all, it might
help to seek the counsel of a nursing home abuse
attorney.
To help improve awareness of the various ways
that seniors can be neglected, here are three aspects of wellness that are
often forgotten in cases where patient neglect occurs. By remembering these
tips, caregivers can improve the overall well-being of senior citizens in their
care.
1
. ..Routine physical activity
Seniors often feel a desire to isolate themselves
and refrain from physical activity, so leaving them to stay in bed can be
all-too-easy when it seems to be their preference. Staying in bed can cause
serious physical side effects, such as infection-prone bedsores and muscle
atrophy, but the mental impact of staying in bed all day is nearly as damaging.
Even those with physical disabilities should get out of bed on a daily basis.
2
. ..Emotional well-being
When dealing with a lot of patients with serious
conditions on a daily basis, it can be difficult to remain empathetic to their
concerns. Reaching out to patients to express authentic concern for their needs
is an essential way to help seniors feel like they aren’t simply mouths to
feed. No matter what their situation is, establishing and maintaining an
emotional connection with patients is an essential part of the caring process.
3. Social connection
One of the best reasons that senior care
facilities are favored for many retirees is that these places provide an area
where elders can coexist with others who share common interests, face similar
issues, and socially connect as equals in ways that a caregiver-patient
relationship cannot achieve. However, this independence also provides seniors
an avenue to isolate themselves, which can be detrimental to them when allowed
for long. Caregivers should always help seniors maintain an active social life,
which is necessary to maintain a positive outlook.
It can be easy to overlook the individuality of
patients when dealing with occupational stress. But the wellness of those in
care is too valuable to society to ever put on hold due to personal problems,
and keeping these tips in mind while attending patients can help make sure that
seniors are never neglected on your watch. Whether you’re a family member or a
professional on the field, it’s always worthwhile to maintain compassionate and
responsive to the needs of our elders.
About
the author: Alan Brady is a writer who visits
his grandmother bi-weekly to lose at Scrabble and check up on her. He advocates
for greater awareness of caregiver neglect, which he sees as one of the leading
causes of senior depression.
No comments:
Post a Comment