Sherman Oaks Home Health Caregivers Foster Respect for Older Adults
Seniors in western cultures are often undervalued in modern society. Pegasus caregivers treat their clients with respect and dignity. They know that elders have wisdom to impart to anyone who will listen.
Respect starts with paying attention and taking the person seriously. It’s also shown by behavior toward the person during interactions.
Respectful behavior includes:
- Using greetings and the correct name
- Guiding or serving without violating boundaries
- Acknowledgment with gestures and expressions
Many of these behaviors are perceived on subconscious levels.
Importance of Respect
Western culture teaches people to believe they become mentally and physically incompetent as they age. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. A study conducted by the Yale School of Public Health revealed that stereotypes about aging create health issues in seniors.
Sherman Park home health caregivers understand the importance of respect. They strive to:
• Maintain positive attitudes
• Treat their clients politely and courteously
• Honor the dignity of each individual
The respect that the caregivers show to the elderly fosters good communication.
According to a National Institutes of Health analysis, seniors value respect. In fact, for many, being shown respect is more important than the care provided. They measure respect by respectful action.
Sherman Park Home Health Care Professionals Respect and Honor the Elderly
Sherman Park home health caregivers show respect in a variety of ways. They know their clients aren’t puppies, kittens, or babies, so they avoid referring to them as “cute.”
Experts have designated the following as basic ways of showing respect:
- Using the correct name: Many people have preferences as to how they want to be addressed. If a senior asks for their title and last name to be used, it’s disrespectful to call them by their first name, an endearment like sweetie, or something cutesy.
- Offering to shake hands: Shaking hands is a way of showing good manners when meeting someone for the first time or after not seeing them for a long time. It’s disrespectful to not extend a hand in greeting.
- Speaking clearly: If a senior is hearing impaired, it may be necessary to speak loudly. It’s disrespectful to yell, mumble, or use slang.
- Smiling and making eye contact: Eye contact is an important way of acknowledging an individual. A smile is an acknowledgment as well as a greeting. Looking away from the person or frowning when greeting someone is disrespectful.
- Offering to help: Individuals are sometimes able to do more than it appears they can, such as removing something from a shelf or open a door. Offering to help if they’re having difficulty is a kind gesture. Taking over is disrespectful.
- Exercising good manners: Saying please and thank you is appropriate regardless of age or situation. Not using simple etiquette is disrespectful.
These ways of showing respect are natural for Sherman Park professionals.
As home health caregivers, they also know that maintaining the dignity of their clients is important. They respect individual privacy regardless of the intimacy of care required. Whenever possible, they allow clients to make their own choices.
Among other ways of showing respect, caregivers:
- Use language that isn’t bossy, such as “you have to do this now”
- Present options as to when or how activities can be accomplished
- Act in a professional manner without sacrificing compassion
- Meet physical and mental challenges with patience
As well as feeling respected, clients enjoy a sense of independence and control in their lives.
Home health care often includes family members. That sometimes leads to seniors feeling like they are burdens. The family members may feel resentful, leading to a loss of respect.
Sherman Park home health care professionals give family members a needed break. They can also help to restore respect and dignity. They provide counseling when needed, but they also teach by example.
Families can renew love and respect for their elderly members by:
- Asking questions about ancestors
- Compiling scrapbooks or photo albums
- Asking for advice
- Celebrating events like birthdays and anniversaries with them
Activities like these allow everyone to relax and enjoy one another.
The Restaurant of Order Mistakes
Elderly individuals often need a high level of care. That doesn’t mean they can’t be respected members of society. Many cultures honor their aged in a variety of ways.
For example, Japan designates the third Monday of September as Respect for The Aged Day. It’s a public holiday to honor the elderly with ceremonies and awards.
One of the most unusual ways of helping dementia patients feel respected is The Restaurant of Order Mistakes. It’s a pop-up restaurant in Tokyo in which the workers have dementia. Patrons never know if they’ll be served what they’ve ordered.
Everyone takes it all in good humor. However, it’s more than a fun place to eat. The restaurant helps people understand that dementia doesn’t make a person useless.
The first restaurant was a trial version. A second restaurant is planned in September to commemorate World Alzheimer’s Day. Save the date: It’s September 21, 2017.
Regardless of the level of care needed, showing the elderly respect and dignity is paramount. Treating their clients with respect and honor comes naturally to Sherman Park caregivers. They know how valuable seniors are to a healthy society.
