Working With Families and Carers
Published: 20 August 2023
Published: 20 August 2023
Families and carers know clients better than anyone else.
Partnering with clients and involving them in their own care is an essential component of healthcare standards, but the information gained about their background and preferences may be limited, especially if the client is physically or cognitively compromised.
As well as being able to recognise physical and behavioural changes, family members and carers will also generally have a much greater understanding of the client’s gestures, movements, body language, personality and thoughts (Boyle 2015).
Even if the client is able to actively participate in their own care, families and carers still play a critical role that should be acknowledged and included in the care process.
A key consideration to keep in mind is that families and carers knew clients when they were well. Healthcare staff generally only meet clients when they are unwell (Mind Australia and Helping Minds 2016).
Families and carers often know what issues the client is facing, how to manage situations and whether there are any warning signs to look out for (Mind Australia and Helping Minds 2016).
Note: It is important to remember that you must always receive informed consent from the client, even when partnering with their loved ones (Mind Australia and Helping Minds 2016).
Around 2.65 million Australians are carers in some capacity (DSS 2023).
A carer provides support and care, in an unpaid capacity, to a person living with disability, mental illness or a chronic health condition, or an older adult with care needs (Carers Victoria 2023a).
Cares may provide support with personal care activities, transport, shopping, domestic duties, giving medications and other tasks (Carers Victoria 2023a).
They may include:
(Mind Australia and Helping Minds 2016)
Person and family-centred care is the practice of allowing both clients and their loved ones to actively participate in the care process where appropriate. Person and family-centred care means families and carers are:
(Health.vic 2014)
(Health.vic 2014; RCHM n.d.)
It’s important to remember that families and carers may experience their own challenges while their loved ones are receiving care. They may be scared and confused or have difficulty coping. They might worry about what this situation will mean for them and their loved one, and what others will think. For this reason, it is important to establish a supportive partnership with families and carers and treat them with respect (Health.vic 2014; Mind Australia and Helping Minds 2016).
Families and carers often feel that their role in the care process is not acknowledged and that they lack necessary information, support and skills (Health.vic 2023). This is on top of other challenges, including:
(Carers Victoria 2023b)
Despite not receiving care themselves, families and carers may have concerns, questions and thoughts of their own. Treating loved ones with dignity and respect and ensuring they feel ‘heard’ can go a long way - it is important that they feel their presence and contributions matter (Boyle 2015).
It is also important to acknowledge the unique knowledge, values, beliefs, and experiences that families and carers may hold (RCHM 2014).
The following are some practical tips for communicating with families and carers:
(RCHM n.d.; Boyle 2015; Clay & Parsh 2016)
When caring for clients, it is important not to neglect the valuable insight that can be provided by families and carers. While they may not be receiving care themselves, their close relationship with the client means they can play a unique and integral role in the care process.
For this reason, you should not only facilitate the opportunity for families and carers to participate in the client’s care, but also ensure they feel respected and listened to - as this will help to improve the client’s overall care outcome.
Question 1 of 3
True or false: Partnering with families and carers is a substitute for informed consent.