By rickybuchanan on October 6, 2008
Written by Maree Ireland.
Maree in a meeting.
Maybe the word “successful” is not the most appropriate word to use because of the human factor element involved. So how do you measure “success” is it how long the worker stays; is it how well they follow instructions; is it how well they “look after” you, ie they treat you as well as they treat themselves ie appearance; cleanliness etc.
Continue reading “Successful working relationships with disability support workers”
Posted in Client Written | Tagged story |
By rickybuchanan on October 6, 2008
By Vince Pirrottina.
As always communication is the key to any relationship, this starts when a Client and Attendant meet for the very first time. It is natural for both parties to feel a bit uneasy at first especially with someone new to Attendant Care work. It’s important to make them comfortable and discuss any fears they may have. Letting them know there will be someone helping and giving one to one training. Continue reading “The Birth Of The Client/Attendant Relationship”
Posted in Client Written | Tagged story |
By rickybuchanan on October 6, 2008
By Gus.
Gus, Vince, and Rosanne.
My name is Gus and I have been supporting Vince since April 1998 and in that time we have formed a very close relationship, it has got that way at times that we can read each others mind and can be doing something we had been thinking of at that very moment. The both of us have become so tuned into each others thoughts now after all this time. That is, in a way we have become more like extended family than just a working relationship, involving client and support worker. In reality, it maybe only little things that we do for each other, but they make a big difference in a mutually beneficial partnership, like most relationships their has been some good times and so not so good times. Gone away together and also with Vince’s wife Rosanne, and often go to see a movie or a live show and exhibitions.
Continue reading “Gus and Vince – A Close Relationship”
Posted in PCA Written | Tagged story |
By rickybuchanan on October 6, 2008
By Ricky Buchanan.
Woven bag I made as a going away gift for a PCA.
I know the agency rules about gift giving, at least with the agency currently providing my attendant carers, is “nothing that costs money” or something very similar. I don’t have spare money anyway, being on a pension and all, but I feel it’s important to recognise things like birthdays and Christmasses and other special times, so I’ve used my creativity and come up with things that cost virtually no money but have a high emotional value for that person.
Sometimes these gifts and their worth are specific to the carer involved. Once I secretly learned a Russian song and sang it as a “gift” to a carer who was Russian and was teaching me Russian during our PCA shifts. Then we laughed a lot and she explained to me what the correct pronunciation was and I sung it again! Several times I have made tiny pieces of artwork like hand-made gift cards with drawings on them for carers who I knew loved art. I made a 2 inch square woven bag as a “goodbye” gift for a PCA who moved to England after working with me for four years – she was an art therapist as well as a PCA and we did lots of arts and crafts together while she was here, so I knew she would appreciate the little bag. Continue reading “Creativity with Gifts and Appreciation”
Posted in Client Written | Tagged story |
By rickybuchanan on October 6, 2008
By Simon.
Simon in a meeting.
One of the relationships I formed with a client who I worked with as an attendant carer, where the outcome was fulfilling and positive for both of us, was a relationship based on friendship, teamwork and trust. That relationship and trust took a while, though, to form.
I was asked by my co-ordinator to go meet a man, Frank (not his real name), who had been in a car accident resulting in huge injuries. He had been living in a busy, noisy ward in a private hospital for a number of years and was very withdrawn and disengaged from life. The co-ordinator told me he had sent a few carers to try and encourage Frank to go out and enjoy something. All having no luck. “I don’t know if you’ll have any success but give it a bash” my co-ordinator said. Continue reading “Simon and Frank”
Posted in PCA Written | Tagged story |
