Dependability – April trait Part 3 of 3
April 29, 2008
The third trait to build dependability into your life as a caregiver is to develop the trait of being on time and having good attendance. Erratic attendance and being tardy are opposites of being dependable. “Developing the trait of consistency in attendance and punctuality” is at the very root of dependability.
The first step to developing punctuality is to train yourself to be on time.
- If tardiness is a problem in your every day life, it is important that you change your whole attitude regarding punctuality. It is NOT OK to be late. You are a professional caregiver. You chose your career because you value people. When you are late you are asking others to fill the gap for you, instead of you serving them. Learn to value the discipline of being on time or early.
- The next step is to start being on time. Set your clocks ahead 15 minutes. Get a clock without a snooze alarm. Lay out your clothes the night before. Plan for your morning so you can leave for your caretaking assignment with less hassle.
- Once you have “done it right”; you have been on time several days, reward yourself. It can be something you usually do and love like “Starbucks.” Only, if you were tardy that day you have to skip it.
- Developing a new habit requires practice. Experts say three weeks is a good start to making a change in your life. Set rewards and consequences; be tough on yourself. You can change.
Developing good attendance on your caretaking assignments has some of the same training needs as discussed for improving punctuality. It is a habit that can be acquired through practice.
- Begin with asking your supervisor how many days you missed assignments in the last three months. Then evaluate why you were absent. The cause is the clue to change.
- If your cause for the absence was over sleeping, change your clock to a clock without a snooze alarm!
- If your cause was sick kids, develop a plan for this; perhaps ask a friend to help out should the kids get sick as you are preparing to go to your assignment.
- If your cause was a doctor appointment, get a planner. Never make appointments during scheduled assignments. Have your work schedule blocked out in your planner. Always check it before making appointments.
- Ask a friend, a spouse, or even your supervisor to help you be accountable in improving your attendance.
Dependability is a trait that is developed throughout life. Traits can be strenghtened from day to day by our choices. The more good choices we make, the stronger the trait. Don’t get discouraged. It’s a lot like exercise. It takes discipline. But, that begins with free choice. You are free to improve! You can become trustworthy, steadfast, faithful, reliable, solid, and sound in your caretaking career. You’ll soon be the “Caretaker of the Month!” At least in your own eyes you can be. And, being satisfied with yourself is a great beginning.
Dependability – April trait Part 2 of 3
April 27, 2008
The second trait to acquire and develop dependability is to “eliminate temperamental days”. All of us have days that we feel better or worse than the norm.
- Being aware of mood changes is the first step in not letting them control you. When you wake up each morning and are preparing for the day, take notice of your mood. Find a way to acknowledge where you are at the beginning and throughout the day. Maybe giving it a numeric value of 1-10 with 10 being “you are extremely happy, on top of the world.” Being aware of your own feelings and temperament early in the day will help you direct and stay in control of your day. It will ensure that you stay dependable in spite of your own feelings.
- Planning ahead for days you don’t feel your best is the second step in “eliminating temperamental days”. If your mood is low for the day decide ahead of time some things to think about that will elevate your own mood before going to a client’s home. Just acknowledging that life changes “moment by moment” and that what is keeping you down for the moment will soon change is often enough to lift your attitude. You can also remember good times, dreams you still have ahead, or even find a way to be grateful for simple things. A friend recently told me that they had been rather discouraged until one day they were driving in their air conditioned car and had to stop at a red light. At the red light a lady sat with sweat rolling down her face with no air conditioning in her car. That simple moment changed the perspective of my friend for the day, because they became thankful for what they had instead of what they didn’t have.
- The final step to “eliminating temperamental days” is simply to make a conscious decision to give the caregiving time as a personal investment into someone else’s life. Remember the movie, “Pay it Forward”? Or, as the old saying goes, “What goes around, comes around.” Giving to others will always rebound to you. A good test in maturity is whether our days include investments in others that we make with a glad heart, a concerned heart, that has nothing at all to do with how we feel.
There are many ways temperamental days affect us and those around us. Usually the home of someone who is sick or needing physical assistance is a home that already has lots of emotion in it. By learning to eliminate your own temperamental days you are creating a better environment for recovery to take place for those for which you are caring.
Dependability – April trait Part 1 0f 3
April 21, 2008
Dependability is the “capability of being depended on”. It means “worthy of trust”. To be dependable is to be trustworthy, steadfast, and faithful. A common word we use is “reliable”. A dependable person is consistent in performance or behavior. A dependable person is solid and sound.
How does the trait of dependability pertain to caregiving? Every day a client is waiting for help. They have selected you, the caregiver, to be their source of help. The caregiver has the choice of being dependable help or undependable help. In other words, there are things the caregiver does each day that causes him or her to be either dependable or unreliable.
Three positive traits can strengthen a caregiver’s dependablity. They are acquired traits.
The first trait to strengthen a caregiver’s dependability is to be certain of what you are assigned to do. If you don’t know what to do, and how to do it, you will never be dependable.
- When you first start an assignment take the time to learn how the client wants things done. Your supervisor will work with you to learn how to give great client satisfaction. Keep the attitude that it’s not right until you know how to do it “the way the client likes it”.
- Throughout your assignment with your client you will need to continue to be sensitive to their needs. What worked at the beginning may not be acceptable to the client at a later time. Keep communication open.
- Once you know what to do, do it well, do it everyday, and do it the right way everyday.
There are many examples about what makes a dependable caregiver in regards to performance on the job. One client likes their floor vacuumed in straight lines, another client likes the dishes washed only on a certain cycle in the dishwasher, another likes medicine reminders after meals, one likes bedclothes put in the dryer so they can be warm before putting them on at night. The list is endless. To be dependable you must be dependable as the client defines dependability.
Brenda Sartain “March Caregiver of the Month”
April 20, 2008
Brenda Sartain has been with our agency for over a year. She has serviced two permanent clients, as well as, accepted numerous on-call assignments. She has consistently shown compassion to her clients, whether they were a regular assignment, or whether she was just filling in for the day.
Brenda is honored for the month of March for exhibiting COMPASSION to her clients. She often calls her supervisor for extra ideas on how to handle various needs of her clients. She strives for excellence each and every day. She accepts the day to day challenges with a great attitude, and that is then given back to her clients even when their attitude is not the best.
Brenda, we honor you for your lifetime of helping others through caregiving. You are a great asset to our company, and we appreciate you!
What makes a CHS Caregiver
April 19, 2008
A CHS caregiver is always Compassionate. The culture CHS hopes to always portray is to be compassionate to both employees and clients. The caregiver is instrumental in the delivery of compassion to the client. Compassion is a trait that CHS will work to accentuate in each caregiver.
A CHS caregiver is Always on time. CHS uses a computerized program that allows caregivers to clock in from their caregiver’s home. This allows tracking by a supervisor as to the time the caregiver is in the home. CHS office knows immediately if there is a problem. It also knows and tracks tardies individually for caregiver improvement purposes.
A CHS caregiver is Respectful. CHS believes that every human being is worthy of respect. The caregivers at CHS are taught to always be mindful that they are respectful to clients and families.
A CHS caregiver is Energetic. CHS believes that a caregiver should always be energetic. They should be actively involved while in the client’s home pursuing customer satisfaction.
A CHS caregiver Goes the extra mile. When a CHS caregiver leaves a client’ s home, the client should feel the caregiver has done “more than what was expected.”
A CHS caregiver is Intuitive. CHS expects that each caregiver will be intuitive about the client’s emotional status for the day, whether it should be a quiet day, whether conversation is wanted and needed, or whether something extra should be done to make the day special.
A CHS caregiver is Vibrant. CHS hires caregivers not only for their skills, but also for their vibrance. CHS believes when a person is doing what they love, it shows in conversation, in action, on a day to day basis.
A CHS caregiver is Equal to the task. Each caregiver is assigned to tasks for which they are fully prepared. CHS hires caregivers who are Certified Nurse Assistants (Level 3), Experienced Caregivers ( Level 2), and new caregivers with a background of compassionate service who are then trained at CHS (Level1). Then CHS assesses each home for the right level of caregiver for each client.
A CHS caregiver is Reliable. CHS expects reliable caregivers. Excessive absences without an approved excuse are not tolerated. A caregiver accepts a client as a permanent assignment and is expected to fulfil that obligation.
What makes CHS different?
April 10, 2008
Choosing an in home care agency can be a difficult choice. Every state licensed agency must comply to the same laws; so, in many ways agencies are alike. However, every agency has its own uniqueness, its own culture, and its own strengths. By careful review of how an agency is different from others, you can make an informative decision as to what is best for you or your family member.
Champion Homecare Solutions is different from many agencies in the following ways:
- CHS caregivers are always screened above the state standard.
- CHS has no time contract. You may stop services with a 24 hour written request at any time.
- CHS has no minimum or maximum hours. CHS services clients from one hour to 24 hours.
- CHS gives service to our clients every day of the year. This provides help during holiday seasons when it is most needed.
- CHS offers 100% satisfaction with the assigned caregiver. The client/client’s famiy may request a new caregiver with no questions asked.
- CHS has flexible schedules. Schedules may be changed simply by calling the office and making a request.
- CHS takes the time to train your caregiver “to do things your way.” We recognize that our Individual Service Plan only tells your caregiver what to do and when to do it. You will have an assigned supervisor who will work with you to make sure your caregiver learns to do things the way you want them done.
- CHS provides a supervisor with a Master’s degree in special education to clients/client’s families who have disabilities. This supervisor can be assigned to help when the client is handicapped in any way.
- CHS culture is to be relational and compassionate to both employees and caregivers.
- CHS does not proclaim to be a perfect agency, or to have perfect employees. We do promise to be here for you, listen to you, and correct your concerns and complaints quickly. In other words, our goal is to demonstrate integrity to you on a day to day basis.
Reassuring Service
April 10, 2008
“It is reassuring to know there are people out there who care about the service they provide and strive to meet the needs of families who are experiencing a very stressful time.” – Client’s Daughter