06/09/2017
When you start your professional as a live in carer, it is nice to think that you may be caring for a sweet little lady who smiles at you every morning, and is grateful for all you do. You take her for walks around her garden, go for coffee at the garden centre and cook her delicious meals. Nice thought! The reality is that you may never find yourself with such a client!
It is more likely that you will find yourself placed with someone who was active in the second world war. There are many elderly people who have been injured, and now look to carers to help them in their daily lives. They will be in their high eighties and older now.
Every single person you take care of deserves respect, and none more than people who have been injured while protecting their country.
Some of the injuries you may come across will be different to ‘regular’ clients, but the mantra remains the same. You should afford them the respect and dignity they deserve.
Amputees: you may find yourself with a client who has lost a leg, arm, or fingers. It is important that you accept that this amputation is – and has been – a part of their lives for many years. It is now a normal part of the way they look. That is the way you should look at it. You may have to dress them differently to other clients, or adapt the shower to suit them, but you should never make an issue of the situation. Accept it as the way your client’s body looks, and work around it accordingly.
Loss of eyesight: perhaps your client cannot see, or can only see shadows. Never leave your own belongings around the house. Remember that they are used to making their way along a set path and it must be kept clear all the time. Take care that counter tops are kept clear. Eating utensils are placed where they know where to feel for them. Nothing is moved!
Scarring: some Veterans have come back from doing service to their country with the most horrific scars, due to fire or other injuries. Sometimes these scars are visible. Never, ever – no matter how horrific it may look – show anything but a happy face! It may be scary at first to look directly at a face which was burned beyond recognition, and has had numerous skin grafts, but learn how to do it with a smile on your face. Put yourself in your client’s place. Never be the person who looks at them, and backs away.
Post war stress disorder: this can take the shape of all kinds of behaviour patterns, but in elderly people, it is very likely that they will have nightmares. Be prepared to stay with them, and comfort them. Just sitting and holding hands will sometimes be exactly what they need. Try not to dwell on their bad dreams in the morning. If your client is awake for an hour in the middle of the night, you should be understanding when they do not want to get up at 7am!
At all times, you should strive to be kind and compassionate – as you would to any other client. Remember that your Veteran client has had to deal with people looking at them for many years and may not appreciate you staring at close quarters.
Above all, remember that without them, the world would have been a completely different place!
