3 Ways Caregivers Can Improve Their Patient Communication

Marty has Parkinson’s disease, and Sage was recently hired as his full-time caregiver. While she has her patient’s best interests at heart, their communication is a bit strained — Marty lashes out when the certified nurse brings up his health, and Sage is struggling to connect with her client on a personal level. To help people like Marty and Sage, Nurse2Help has compiled three techniques to improve communication, and ultimately strengthen the caregiver-patient relationship.

The home care industry can be difficult to navigate. In particular, if the patient believes the caregiver is invading their personal space and property, serious issues may ensue. That said, it’s important for the caregiver to understand where the patient is coming from — and vice versa.

Nurse2Help recommends that caregivers follow the three following tips to improve their communication with patients:

1. Practice active listening.

All clients, no matter their living situation or health status, have lived full lives. Perhaps they feel distant from their loved ones because of their compromised independence, or they are not coping well with changes to their physical condition.

Regardless of what the patient is going through, the caregiver must listen actively to their thoughts, feelings, and needs. If the patient is acting out, the caregiver should explore the root of the issue by asking questions such as, “What, in your opinion, is making you feel this way?” To strengthen the caregiver-patient bond, the professional should empathize with the client, listen to them when they speak, and maintain an open line of communication.

In many cases, frustration is the product of feeling misunderstood. Caregivers must let clients know they understand where they’re coming from. It is essential that they validate the client’s concerns, and take note of any insights they gain along the way.

2. Respect the patient, including their home.

While caregivers are trained to be familiar with the patient’s health-related needs, they should also acknowledge the patient’s household preferences.

So caregivers, make sure you convey your respect to the client, their family, and their property. Keep in mind that the patient’s home is your workplace, and it should be treated with the same level of care. Clean up after yourself, keep things organized per the client’s specifications, and act graciously as a guest in the home.

In short, by respecting the patient and their property, you will help to cultivate an atmosphere of comfort, relaxation, and open communication. Simply put, if the patient insists that visitors remove their shoes inside the home, take your shoes off.

3. Focus on body language.

Caregivers and patients spend a great deal of time together. Inherently, each party will pick up on the other’s nonverbal cues.

For this reason, it’s critical that caregivers set the tone for a welcoming environment. They should make eye contact each time they communicate with the client, and avoid putting their stress on display by presenting negative nonverbal cues. Crossing the arms, for instance, demonstrates the caregiver is closed off. Professionals should use positive gestures, keep their posture open, and soften their facial expressions to put the patient at ease. This, in turn, will help the patient be more receptive to warm, productive communication.

Stay tuned for more caregiving tips, tricks, and resources from Nurse2Help. The Nurse2Help app lists hundreds of prescreened caregivers in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area.