KEEPING YOURSELF FIT FOR THE JOB Written by Saimah Kermali
A Healthcare Support Assistant also known as a trained caregiver is a person who has acquired professional training and education or certification in providing care for elderly, disabled or ill individuals. They are trained to provide a range of services, including personal care, such as bathing and dressing, medication management, meal preparation, and assistance with mobility. Healthcare support assistants may also provide emotional support, companionship, and assistance with activities of daily living to help individuals recover from their ailment, and maintain their independence and quality of life. However, it is important to note that the specific services they provide may vary depending on the needs of their clients and the setting in which they work. While family caregivers function within the parameter of the home and the family, healthcare support assistants are a whole system in the medical arena. Therefore, you can find healthcare support assistants in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and private homes.
It goes without saying that caregiving, whether it is paid or unpaid, is a hard job. The emotional, mental, and physical toll it can take on any caregiver is enormous! This article highlights some challenges faced by healthcare support assistants in Kenya as shared with Suruvi. The article will also give suggestions on how caregivers can navigate through these challenges for their benefit and that of their care- recipients.
Challenges:
- Limited financial resources
Healthcare support assistants indicate that they sometimes lack proper compensation for their jobs resulting in low income, thus making it hard to make ends meet. In addition, some lack employment benefits such as health insurance, paid time off or retirement pension plans. This can lead to a lack of motivation and poor job performance, which can ultimately affect the quality of care provided to patients.
- Work hours
Some healthcare support assistants indicate that they frequently put in long working hours in their places of work without overtime compensation. Working for such long hours with very little time to break is not only strenuous physically but also mentally leading to burnout. Additionally, caregivers might not get the credit they deserve for the crucial work they undertake. This lack of appreciation can leave them feeling irritated and having low morale which can also affect their performance at work and their emotional/mental well-being.
- Compassion fatigue
Compassion fatigue is a phenomenon that affects caregivers who are exposed to the emotional demands of caring for others. It results in burnout and emotional exhaustion, caused by constant exposure to the suffering of those they care for. As a consequence, caregivers experience emotional weariness, lose their ability to empathize with those they care for and feel dissatisfied with their work. This can have a negative impact on their overall well-being and job performance. It is important for caregivers to recognize the symptoms of compassion fatigue and seek support to prevent its detrimental effects
- Limited access to resources
Some Healthcare support assistants that have sought emotional and mental health support services from Suruvi – Care for Caregivers have indicated that they work in environments such as hospitals, clinics or homes that lack the necessary medical equipment, medicines and supplies. As a result, they are forced to improvise and make do with what is available, which can compromise the quality of care they provide. Others have also indicated a lack of basic protective gear such as gloves which also puts them at risk of injury and illness.
- Lack/ limited social support
Healthcare support assistants may lack support from their employers or colleagues, which can make it difficult to manage the emotional demands of the job. Other people view caregiving as a low-status job and look down on healthcare support assistants. In addition, healthcare support assistants often lack the support they need to provide quality care. They may not have access to counselling, supervision, mentoring or peer support. This can make it difficult for them to improve their skills and knowledge. Lack of this support can also lead to burnout affecting their well-being.
General self-care tips to rise above these challenges:
- Take care of yourself:
As a Healthcare support assistant, it is essential to prioritize your own well-being. Make time for self-care activities like exercise, listening to music, taking a walk, watching a movie, sleeping, eating healthy or any hobbies that you enjoy. These and other such activities help reduce stress, boost mood, and improve overall well-being. They also increase your resilience, enabling you to handle the emotional demands of your job effectively. Therefore, making time for self-care should be an essential part of your routine as a healthcare support assistant.
- Seek support:
It can be helpful to connect with other caregivers or join a support group to share your experiences and receive insights. Connecting with others is an essential part of self-care. Spending time with friends, family or people close to you can help to reduce stress, boost mood and increase social support. Also, consider talking to a professional counsellor/ therapist/ mentor regularly.
- Self-compassion:
Caring for others can be challenging and stressful. Self-compassion is the practice of treating yourself with kindness and understanding. Being kind to yourself can help to reduce stress and boost self-esteem. As much as this is difficult, try to stay calm and practice compassion when faced with difficult situations.
- Communicate
Communication is crucial when caring for others. Try to be clear and direct with your communication. Be willing to ask for help or clarify any confusion that may arise. Effective communication is a key aspect of self-care. It can help you build stronger relationships, reduce stress and honour your emotions and needs.
- Set boundaries:
Caring for others can be demanding and it is important to set boundaries to avoid burnout. Know your limits and don’t be afraid to say no when you need to. Setting boundaries is essential for your emotional and mental well-being. Boundaries can help you protect your time, energy, and emotional space.
- Stay organized:
Being organized can help you manage your time more efficiently and reduce stress. Create a schedule or to-do list and prioritize tasks to make sure the most critical items are completed first.
- Take breaks:
Caring for others is exhausting and it is important to take breaks when you need them. Taking breaks is an important and often overlooked self-care tip. Even a short time away from your caregiving responsibilities can help you recharge and avoid burnout. Breaks can help reduce stress and increase productivity by allowing us to recharge and refocus. When we take a break from whatever task we are doing, we allow our mind to rest and our body to relax. This can help us to clear our minds, reduce our stress levels, and stay focused on the task at hand.
- Know your rights
As a healthcare support assistant, it is important for you to educate yourself on the law and know your rights. This gives you the power to: defend yourself and make wise judgements in a variety of situations; guarantees that you are treated fairly and justly in the work environment; makes it easier for you to know who to call and what to do in the event of a confusing legal situation; helps you advocate/ protect yourself and make informed decisions in various situations.
Conclusion
These challenges can make it difficult for caregivers to offer their patients high-quality care and assistance while preserving their own well-being. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-pronged approach that involves improving access to resources, providing adequate training, improving remuneration and promoting physical, emotional and mental well-being for caregivers. By addressing these challenges, we can create a more supportive and enabling environment for healthcare support assistants in Kenya.
That is why at Suruvi-Care for Caregivers, we acknowledge the struggles of being a caregiver and therefore prioritize their mental and emotional well-being through educational information and therapy. Suruvi-Care for Caregivers assists caregivers in coping skills development, stress management, self-care literacy, and general well-being. Additionally, through counselling, we assist caregivers in processing their feelings, coping with traumatic events and locating assistance for both personal and professional difficulties. In the end, this helps caregivers provide their patients with greater care while maintaining their own mental and emotional well-being.
Remember that every caregiving situation is unique and what works for one person may not work for another. Be open to trying different strategies until you find what works best for you and those you care for.