At Homewatch CareGivers of Mooresville, we are very proud of our caregiver retention rates. Caregivers are integral to our organization. They play an essential role in supporting the well-being of your loved ones, providing both physical assistance and emotional support. Treating our caregivers well not only fosters a positive working relationship but also ensures that your loved ones receive the best possible care.
Here are some of our key themes re. creating a culture and environment that emphasize treating our caregivers with respect and appreciation.
1. Appreciation
Caregiving is a challenging job that often goes unrecognized. Family members who get thrust into caring for a loved one are aware of this challenge. The simple act of recognizing the work that is done and showing gratitude to thank caregivers for their dedication and hard work is significant. Small gestures like a simple “thank you,” a handwritten note, a text, or acknowledging their efforts during conversations can go a long way in boosting morale. We all like to be told “we are appreciated.” Caregivers are no different.
2. Communicate Clearly
Open, consistent and respectful communication is vital. We openly discuss expectations, care preferences, and any concerns in a positive and constructive manner. Regular check-ins help us understand what is going on with our team and helps inform us to make any changes necessary to best support the caregivers. This also models to our caregivers the same behavior we expect of them when caring for your loved ones. Open and respectful dialogue, along with active listening builds trust which is the foundation of all that we do.
3. Respect Boundaries
While caregivers are committed to helping, they also need personal time to recharge. The caregivers are human beings, not robots. We are mindful of their schedules, family dynamics, burnout, the passing of a client, and we avoid making last-minute requests outside their agreed-upon working hours. Just this week, a caregiver came into the office to share her gratitude for the opportunity to be with her Mother-In- Law in her final moments. Small acts of humanity show respect for people and their work-life balance. If the caregivers are not cared for and respected as a human being, how can we expect them to be best prepared to care for and respect our clients? The answer is we can’t. So, we always come from a place of respect and honor with every individual we care for, employ or meet.
4. Offer competitive Compensation
We ensure that our caregivers are fairly compensated for their time and expertise. During orientation and discussions at job fairs / colleges, we always encourage caregivers to be strong advocates for the work they do, and the compensation they should seek. While intangibles are nice (compliments, thank you’s), these do not pay the bills. Providing competitive wages and benefits has been crucial to us retaining good caregivers and showing that we value their contribution with more than words. Actions matter.
5. Provide Support and Resources
Caregivers often face emotional and physical challenges. Providing an environment of safety where caregivers can speak up and share challenges is critical. Also, access to resources like additional training, paid time off, counseling services, someone to simply listen and / or assist with a solution, or some respite care can make a big difference in their ability to provide high-quality care.
By treating our caregivers with respect, kindness, and fairness, we create a positive environment that ultimately benefits everyone involved.
While we are very proud of the retention rates, we also acknowledge that this is an ongoing challenge as needs and dynamics are always changing. I’d encourage all those involved in caring for others to regularly monitor how you are doing, check in on each other, and have open discussions about appreciation and work culture.
It matters.
Martin
