Caregivers have an important job ensuring their loved ones or clients get the care they need in healthcare settings. This role is not just about providing physical support; it also involves being a strong advocate for those they care for. However, being an effective advocate can be challenging. Caregivers must focus on the wishes and preferences of the people they support, ensuring their voices are heard when it comes to medical decisions and care plans.
To help caregivers tackle these challenges, we spoke with Pamela D. Wilson, a caregiving expert with over 20 years of experience. Pamela shares practical advice on advocating in healthcare settings, maintaining boundaries, supporting emotional well-being, and prioritizing self-care.
So keep on reading to know her insights.
To be an effective advocate, I suggest caregivers focus on understanding the wishes of their loved ones or clients and advocating based on those preferences, not their own. Advocacy should center around what the person with health challenges wants for their care and daily living situation. A good practice is to ensure there is formal permission in place. For example, family caregivers with legal authority, like power of attorney, can advocate for loved ones even if they are absent. For employed caregivers, I think it’s important to clearly define their role as advocates in collaboration with the client. You should never speak for a client without their consent. Instead, let them express their wishes first, and then you can add information or make requests to support the advocacy goal with their permission.
In my opinion, employed caregivers can lose sight of professional boundaries by transferring working relationships into personal ones. Caregivers are not family members. They are not friends, although they can be friendly. My suggestion is not to share personal information that might worry a client and not give out personal contact information. Maintaining work boundaries and not taking on tasks outside of a care plan is important. Always consider whether you would be comfortable with your actions being publicly known. It might be a boundary violation if you don’t want something to appear in the newspaper.
For family caregivers, having clear conversations about expectations and time commitments before jumping into caregiving is important. Many family caregivers take on too much responsibility without discussing it first and later feel burned out. My suggestion would be to avoid this by setting clear boundaries and openly conversing about what’s expected.
– Pamela D Wilson
In my view, the most important qualities for caregivers are compassion, patience, and perspective. Being compassionate means being aware of someone’s struggles and wanting to assist them. Caregivers should prioritize their loved one’s needs but not neglect their well-being, which can lead to burnout or guilt. Practice patience, as older adults often move and speak slower than they’re used to. Being patient and present is key to providing good care. An effective approach is to recommend caregivers also develop perspective. Instead of judging others, asking why they think or feel the way they do is helpful. This can deepen understanding, especially since caregivers and those receiving care often share similar emotions despite having different perspectives.
For employed caregivers, having boundaries is important. I recommend not oversharing personal information that could burden the client. Sharing personal problems adds worry to a client who may already have a lot on their mind. Lastly, I suggest gaining the necessary skills and seeking additional training. Being the best caregiver you can be requires constant learning.
When it comes to dementia, you may find it useful to focus on creating a sense of safety, peace, and comfort for your clients. People with dementia can pick up on the emotions and stress levels of others, even without words. I suggest caregivers embody calmness and peace in their interactions and tasks. Some useful strategies include redirecting clients to new topics and offering choices instead of asking direct questions they may struggle to answer. To maintain a trusting relationship with the person with dementia, it’s also important to be creative in finding ways to complete tasks.
I recommend volunteering with the specific population you are interested in: the elderly, individuals with physical disabilities, mental health challenges, or intellectual disabilities. This will give you a clearer understanding of whether caregiving is the right path for you. When you interview for caregiving positions, be brutally honest with yourself about whether you’re truly ready to take on the responsibilities. I suggest speaking to current employees about their experiences to get a real sense of the job. It’s important to know what you’ll be doing and make sure you can commit, even if the learning curve is steep at first.
In my opinion, many people enter caregiving positions without fully understanding what’s involved, only to quit weeks later. This can be hard for the employer and the client, who may have already developed a bond with the caregiver. If caregiving isn’t right for you, acknowledge it early to avoid negative experiences for you and the people you serve.
As Pamela D. Wilson mentioned, caregiving is a vital and rewarding role that requires a combination of emotional strength, clear boundaries, and practical skills. It’s essential to prioritize self-care, stay well-informed, and develop the soft and hard skills to provide the best care. Whether advocating for your loved one’s needs or offering emotional support to those with dementia, following Pamela’s advice will help you navigate the challenges and thrive in your caregiving journey.
Pamela D. Wilson, MS, BS/BA, CG, CSA, is a caregiving expert, advocate, and speaker based in Denver, Colorado. She has supported older adults and caregivers for over twenty years as a care manager, professional fiduciary, and subject matter expert. This unique experience serves as Wilson's platform to increase awareness of caregiving as an essential role in life and to support individuals of all ages in navigating healthcare systems and the related financial and legal choices that impact access to care.
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