For me, a care manager’s role is extended to helping or even managing client families of clients – helping them to understand their loved one’s sometimes ‘erratic’ behaviour, changing moods, increasing frailness, loss of confidence, frustration, apathy, etc.

You will not only be providing a valuable service, but you can also prevent misunderstanding and even some harmful confrontation with some relatives.

And even though, you do ‘your utmost’ to maintain an active and ‘happy’ environment, clients’ private moments away from the spotlight can often reveal depressing feelings of anxiety.

Your dedication and experience as a care manager can be of great comfort to not only your clients but also their relatives who are witnessing such (sometimes) rapid character changes for the first time. And most importantly, you can help them prevent a life lasting feeling of regret and guilt, by encouraging them to contribute to their loved ones’ ongoing care, and helping them take some solace through remembering their parents’ dedication when they were younger.

I think many of us are guilty of not always remembering the love and dedication our now elderly relatives once gave us. And all too often, that feeling of guilt only hits us when it is too late, when we only wish we had done more in their hour of need.

The trouble is we all lead such busy lives, with demanding careers, and somehow bringing up our own families, and we so easily forget to appreciate our own upbringing.

Of course not everyone’s experience is a happy one, but most people can look back and admit that their parents did their best even if they sometimes didn’t get it right.

From my own experience, I had a good relationship with my parents, and I’m blessed with being able to look back with great love and affection, but I still wish I had visited more, listened more, and done more in their final years before they died.

I stumbled upon this short video which I think may help people reflect on their own families and appreciate the importance of ‘giving back’ a little of that love while they still can.

And so for my care managers tip? -

Use your experience to empathise and understand some relatives’ apparent apathy towards your clients, and help them realise their past love and dedication.

By contributing to their loved one’s care, they will take solace from being able to comfort them in their final years.

And they will be eternally grateful to you for your wisdom in helping them perhaps avoid many years of guilt and regret.

Best regards
Simon

Classic Homes Marketing 2010