Neglect describes the mistreatment of an individual when a parent or caregiver fails to meet their basic needs. Those who are most at risk of neglect are children and the elderly, as these age groups often require help from others to take care of themselves. When it comes to elder care, many seniors may suffer from the lack of a support network. In those instances, they are vulnerable to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression.
As a personal support worker, you’ll play a crucial role in providing care and companionship for those individuals during periods of incapacitation, recovery, or family upheaval. To provide assistance to those people, it’s helpful to know how to recognize neglect and the best methods for supporting your clients. Here’s a closer look at how you can help.Â
Pay Close Attention to Your Clients After a PSW Course
If your client suffers from a history of neglect, it’s important to remain extra observant. In particular, many elderly clients lack frequent contact with their families–especially while living in long-term care facilities. In those cases, those with personal support worker training should take the time to ensure that clients feel comfortable, safe, and respected. Many clients will need help with eating, cleaning, personal hygiene, and mobility. Providing quality care in each of these areas is essential to ensuring your clients feel supported throughout their recovery–especially if they have experienced prior neglect.Â
Beyond physical mistreatment, many clients suffer from emotional neglect through family or friends belittling or ignoring them. In those instances, it’s important to communicate clearly and compassionately with seniors while emphasizing value and sensitivity for the individuality of each client.Â
Take Note of Family Dynamics After a PSW Course
Often neglect stems from dysfunctional family dynamics, which can lead to the emotional or financial abandonment of clients. If a client is experiencing personal problems within their support network, they may suffer from feelings of anxiety or insecurity–especially if they have few other resources to fall back on. As a personal support worker, you should pay attention to changes in your client’s mood after family visits. A PSW course teaches students to examine indicators of family abuse and their role when neglect is suspected. It’s important to help both clients and their families learn more about their rights and responsibilities. Treating clients with compassion and attention will help them regain their confidence and skills. At the same time, you can advise family members on how to play a more effective role to meet the needs of the client.Â
Encourage Group Activities
As older clients become more physically vulnerable, they are less able to take care of themselves and may find it harder to take part in daily living activities or errands. On top of that, if a client has experienced neglect, they may not have a solid support network or close connections with others. In addition, seniors may have suffered the loss of friends or older family members that leads to a further sense of isolation.Â
A personal support worker course is designed to teach students how to provide support to clients that will encourage them to live fulfilling lives in their communities. For clients who suffer from neglect, this may mean assisting them with building new friendships with those around them. Organizing group activities can be an effective way for clients to meet others in similar circumstances and re-establish healthy connections in their community. This process can also help to normalize the feelings of helplessness or social isolation that they might experience.
Interested in learning more about the value of personal support worker courses?
Contact Medix College today!
