3 Ways to Respond to Caregiver Criticism

Couple having an argument

It can be difficult and hurtful when somebody criticizes you in general. This is especially true if it is someone you know well and is perhaps even your caretaker. If you have recently been the subject of criticism from a caretaker, then here are some tips about absorbing the criticism and responding.
Here are three different ways you can consider responding to the criticism you have faced with. They are likely to help you to respond in a way that is calm and objective, instead of responding based on your emotions.

Acknowledge what the person has said, and then ask for their advice.

If someone has been critical towards you, they are likely trying to help, especially if they are a member of your family. It can sometimes be difficult to express yourself in a way that doesn’t offend someone, especially if it is something of a sensitive subject. As such, try to give the person who has been critical towards you the benefit of the doubt.
One thing you can try is to accept the criticism, and then ask your family member or caregiver what they would suggest you do instead. This is a great way to avoid conflict, and you may be able to benefit from the advice or suggestions they have. If someone has your best interest at heart, then their criticism could be very well listening to. It can also be a great way to change the nature and the tone of the conversation you are having, making it far more constructive and beneficial to both parties.
Once you have listened to the suggestions of the person you are talking to, you can then try to explain your behavior. If you can talk about the process behind what you have decided to do and your reasoning, then it may be easier for the other person to understand, and you can, therefore, avoid some or all of the conflict.

Repeat what the person has said back to them, to show them how it made you feel.

In the heat of the moment, it can be a bit difficult to control exactly what we’re saying, or how it comes across. The person who has been critical towards you probably didn’t mean for it to be critical, and they may not have realized the potential impact of what they said. This is why it can be helpful to repeat what the other person has said to you to show them how it might feel when someone says it to them.
If you choose to respond this way, try to speak in a way that is calm and objective. Make it clear that you are doing this because you are offended or hurt, and that you would appreciate for the other person to consider the way they speak to you and how they word what they are going to say when they talk to you.
It is also really helpful to talk about yourself and how the criticism has made you feel. This often helps avoid making the other person in the conversation feel that you are criticizing them in turn. Rather, you make it easier for them to see how their words have made you feel, but you are not doing it critically.

Stand up for yourself politely but respectfully.

Sometimes the best thing to do is to simply stand up for yourself and speak openly and honestly. If you don’t feel there is any way around this, then explain objectively that you do not feel that you are in the wrong.
Depending on the context and the type of relationship that you have with the other person, you may also feel that you want to tell them that you would prefer that they not be so critical.

Three Effective Ways to Respond to Criticism from Caregivers

It can be difficult and hurtful when you are criticized by someone you trust, especially if you spend a lot of time with and trust. This is perhaps even truer if the criticism comes from one or your caregivers. We trust caregivers to take care of us and have an intimate relationship with them, so conflict with such a person can be difficult and awkward to tackle.
However, conflict arises in all relationships. You must have a healthy and constructive way to respond to criticism that may have hurt your feelings or the relationship between you and your caregiver. This is the best way to keep your relationship healthy and allow it to move forward. Fixating on criticism or negative experiences between yourself and another person is not going to help you have a positive or healthy bond.
This can certainly be easier said than done, though. It is natural to respond defensively to perceived criticism, though this isn’t usually the most constructive approach. As such, we go into three different strategies you can use to respond when facing criticism from a caregiver.

1. Stand Up for What You Think

Sometimes you simply have to stand up for what you believe in. While it is easier to let criticism slide, it isn’t always the best thing for you. If you genuinely and deeply feel that you have faced criticism that is unfair or ungrounded, you may want to consider standing up for yourself instead of simply accepting it. This can be especially true of criticism you might face that is grounded on personality or things you can’t change. It may also be that you face criticism for something you deeply believe in and feel based in reality.
Ensure that when you respond to criticism, you do so calmly and respectfully. If you do choose to stand up for yourself, you may find that doing so is more likely to cause conflict between yourself and your caregiver than it might to simply accept what they have said. This is why you must remain calm and try to avoid using language that can be inflammatory. While you are within your right to stand up for yourself, it might not help you upset your caregiver.

2. Acknowledge the Criticism, and Ask Your Caregiver for Guidance

If your caregiver has criticized you in some way, they are likely trying to be helpful. It might have come across in a way that hurt your feelings, but it is unlikely that this was your caregiver’s intention. This is why it may be worthwhile considering what they said. If you do so, you can show your caregiver that you respect their opinion and their feedback. Also, you may find the advice to be helpful or constructive.
By first acknowledging the criticism, you can show your caregiver that you respect their opinion and take them seriously. Try to do so calmly and confidently, even if what they said has hurt your feelings. You may find that taking their criticism on board can help you in the long run, so you should consider taking it onboard. Then when you ask for their advice, try to do so in an open-ended way, instead of being passive-aggressive.
Not only can you avoid conflict this way, but you may also find the advice to be genuinely helpful. You can consider it at the very least- if you later find that their advice or criticism was not the right thing for you, then at least you have given what they’ve said a chance. If you find that what they said ends up being helpful, that is also great for both you and the relationship you have with your caregiver.

3. Repeat Back What the Person Said to You

Sometimes people word themselves the wrong way when they feel strongly about something. This can cause them to come across the wrong way. For example, they may have been trying to help you, but what they say is simply harsh and hurtful. If you feel that this was the case and repeat back what they said word-for-word, they may realize that they were too hard on you and reconsidered what they said.

How to Respond to Caregiver Criticism – Three Different Strategies

Your relationship with your caregiver may be one of the closest relationships that you have. This is why it can be especially hurtful if your caregiver is critical towards you. We trust our caregivers to perform a range of different important tasks in our lives, and their role cannot be overstated. If you experience that your caregiver has been critical towards you, then try to take it with a grain of salt. They likely did not say it to hurt your feelings.
Suppose you have experienced criticism from a caregiver. In that case, there are some ways you can respond that is constructive and does not have to damage the relationship you have with your caregiver. Just because they have said something that hurts your feelings, does not mean your relationship has to conflict.
We think there are three great ways you can respond to criticism from a caregiver, which we have listed below. Hopefully, you find them helpful and constructive and allow you to navigate your relationship with your caregiver healthily and functionally.

1. Repeat the criticism, and Ask the Other Person How it Might Affect Them

You may find that your caregiver did not mean to be critical or hurtful, but that they simply did not word what they said the best way that they could have. It can be tricky to word yourself delicately when you have something critical to say, especially when you feel very strongly about what you are saying. Try to keep this in mind if your caregiver has been critical towards you or said something that has hurt your feelings. It is unlikely that they said so in a way that was meant to be hurtful.
However, you can try repeating what your caregiver said back to them calmly and coolly. If they have expressed themselves very harshly, they can likely realize this once they hear what they said. This can be helpful for them because they can see that they may need to be careful about how they express themselves in the future and that they may need to be mindful of how critical they are.

2. Accept the criticism you Have Received, and Ask for Advice

You may find that the criticism you have received from your caregiver is helpful or developmental, though it may feel hurtful at the time. This is why we recommend that you consider what your caregiver has said before you respond, and how that advice may potentially help you in your day-to-day life. If you feel that it could help you in some way, then you might like to try asking your caregiver for advice for the future.
This is also a great way to show your caregiver that you respect and value their thoughts and opinions. It can help your relationship remain helpful and healthy. Even if it is hurtful, your caregiver is certainly within their right to be critical towards you, especially if they are trying to help.
By asking for advice, you can likely also see where your caregiver was coming from when they decided to criticize you. It is unlikely that they said it simply to hurt your feelings or to criticize you for the sake of it. If you give them a chance to elaborate, you can avoid any conflict that may arise from a simple misunderstanding.

3. Calmly Defend Your Point of View

If you truly feel that you were not deserving of the criticism that you faced, then you may want to stand up for what you feel or believe. Make sure to try to do this in a way that is calm and not based on your emotions. If you can rationally defend your behavior or views, then you may help your caregiver see where you were coming from.

Travel for Alzheimer’s Patients

Millions of Americans take to the roadways and to the sky during the holidays to head to relatives’ homes. But for caregivers traveling with a loved one with Alzheimer’s, there tend to be common trouble spots that arise. With a little preparation, you can focus on creating holiday memories rather than unexpected snafus.

#1: Flying

  • Realize that even someone with early dementia shouldn’t travel alone.
  • Stay together in the airport at all times.
  • Remain calm and don’t rush the person in security lines. Some airports offer family-friendly lanes — they’re not just for people traveling with children.
  • Schedule flights early in the day, when the person may be in the best spirits and you’re less likely to be marooned overnight in case of bad weather or other delays. It’s worth the extra price to fly nonstop. Allow plenty of time for connections.
  • Don’t place medication in checked bags. Your carry-on should also contain everything the person would need if luggage is lost or a flight is delayed overnight: pajamas, toiletry items, change of clothing, medical contact-us information, and legal papers (power of attorney, insurance).
  • Pack snacks and provide water, since dehydration is a risk for seniors. Use the bathroom just before the flight to help avoid the need for the person to do so on the airplane.
  • Bring something for the person to do with his hands: a puzzle book, a photo album, knitting, a textured rubbery ball to hold, playing cards.
  • Carry a blanket and small pillow for comfort’s sake, as they may not be available on the flight.

#2: Car Trips

It’s ideal to skip a long journey by car, but when a car trip is necessary, avoid traveling on peak days.
  • Stop often, but stay with the person at gas stations and restaurants. New places invite confusion.
  • Play the person’s favorite music in the car, or find a radio station playing holiday classics.
  • If you must stay in a hotel, remain with the person at all times. Get one large room with two beds rather than separate or adjoining rooms.

#3: Frenzy at Home

  • Preserve, as much as possible, the person’s daily routine regarding times for meals, exercise, activities, and so on.
  • Don’t think you have to make the holiday exactly as it always was. Emphasize a few favorite traditions and let go of the rest.
  • Adapt longstanding traditions to the person’s present abilities. If Mom always decorated the tree, help her attach ornaments rather than completely taking the job over. If Dad carved the turkey, let him sit in his customary seat but bring the bird to the table already sliced, and let him help fill plates.
  • Keep the person’s hands busy while you handle holiday chores. Some ideas: decorating sugar cookies, kneading dough, stirring a pot, sorting through a box of unbreakable ornaments, stringing popcorn or cranberries, looking at Christmas cards.
  • Safety-proof: Avoid candles (fire hazard), artificial fruit (a choking hazard if mistaken for real), gingerbread houses (if made of inedible items), blinking lights (disorienting), garlands that obscure railings on stairs.
  • Take advantage of the powerful sensory memories of this time of year. Whether it’s playing in the background or sung in the form of carols or hymns, holiday music taps into deep emotional memories and usually brings a great deal of pleasure to someone with dementia. Expose the person to familiar holiday smells, such as clove-studded oranges, evergreens, cinnamon, and peppermint.
  • Reminisce by bringing out photo albums or telling old family stories. But don’t make it feel like a quiz by asking, “Do you remember…?” Just start the story.

#4: Parties

  • Invite small groups to visit the person at home. A few friends at a time may be more manageable — and therefore more enjoyable — than one large party.
  • If you’re hosting, keep the gathering small. Make it a brunch or luncheon if sundown syndrome is a risk.
  • If you’re a caregiver invited to a party, consider having someone stay at home with the person who has dementia rather than bringing her with you. You both may enjoy this arrangement better.
  • Designate someone to stay at the person’s side throughout an event to provide a continuous, calming presence and to prevent wandering. Noise and new faces can overwhelm.
  • Introduce those who approach the person with dementia, no matter how close a friend or relative they may be: “And here’s your niece, Susan!” Don’t draw attention to the fact that they were introduced just ten minutes earlier.
  • Invite the person with Alzheimer’s or dementia to join activities such as opening gifts or watching a sports game — but don’t insist that he participate.
  • Withdraw as needed to a quiet corner or room where the person can feel relaxed and safe, away from loud kids or a cocktail-party crowd. Walk outside, weather permitting.
  • Monitor the person’s intake of alcohol, as he may not be able to remember and track it himself.
  • Watch for cues that the person has had enough: increased impatience or fretfulness, pulling at clothes, withdrawal. Don’t wait until he’s overtired.

#5: Shopping

  • Avoid shopping just for tradition’s sake. A drive to look at holiday lights is less likely to confuse and upset than a visit to a crowded shopping mall.
  • If you shop, do so early in the day when it’s less crowded.
  • Visit one store, not a whole mall-full at once. Another reason to avoid malls: The vast parking lots can be disorienting.
  • If you plan on making lots of purchases, it’s easy to become distracted, so consider bringing a third person along who can stay with and focus on the person who has dementia.

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Skin Cancer

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“Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and includes different types. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays causes most cases of melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer. To lower your skin cancer risk, protect your skin from the sun and avoid indoor tanning.
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Sun Safety Tips
🔈Plan your sun protection using these tips—
📌Seek shade, especially during midday hours.
📌Cover up with clothing to protect exposed skin.
Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.
📌Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
📌Use sunscreen with broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) protection and a sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher.
📌Remember to reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.”
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Read more here: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/resources/features/skincancer/index.htm
📞Call us today at 215-925-3313 for all your home healthcare needs.
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Ground Water.

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“Much of the water we use comes from the ground. Learn more about ground water, the threats to its safety, and how to protect its sources during Ground Water Awareness Week.
 
Clean water is one of the world’s most precious resources. People use water every day for many activities, such as drinking, bathing, recreation, agriculture, cooling, manufacturing, and medical uses. Although water plays an essential role in everyone’s life, many people don’t realize that much of their water comes from the ground. An estimated 139 million Americans get their tap water from a ground water source.”
 
Read more here: https://www.cdc.gov/features/groundwaterawareness/
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Power Outage Preparation

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There are a lot of people still without power and another storm approaching. Please make sure you are prepared.

  • Bottled Water
  • Batteries
  • Candles
  • Matches
  • Put gas in your cars
  • make sure your carbon monoxide detectors have new batteries
  • charge cell phones
  • get coolers ready and have plenty of ice on hand to help food not go bad
  • first aid kits stocked and handy
  • make sure there is enough food that does not need to be refrigerated or cooked

For a more comprehensive list check this out from the Red Cross:

https://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4340180_PowerOutage.pdf

Stay safe out there!

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SuperAgers

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According to the National Institute of Aging, “scientific evidence about the importance of remaining socially engaged as we age continues to grow. Participating in social activities, such as visiting friends, volunteering, and getting out for events and trips, has been associated with better cognitive function, while low social engagement in late life has been associated with an increased risk of dementia (Krueger, 2009Saczynski, 2006). Other research has shown that support from a spouse/partner and friends alleviates loneliness and improves well-being in older adults. Recent findings from Dr. Emily Rogalski and colleagues at Northwestern University studying cognitive ‘SuperAgers’ add more evidence about the importance of positive social relationships (Maher, 2017).”border
 
Read more here: https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/superagers-show-possible-new-link-between-social-engagement-cognitive-health
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Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Care Considerations

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Care - AmeriBest Home Care

“Families who care for people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) face questions like these every day. DMD is a form of muscular dystrophy, a rare genetic (inherited) disease with muscle weakness that gets worse over time and ultimately affects the heart and lungs. Living with DMD provides challenges for families and caregivers: Activities of daily living (for example, getting dressed or eating on your own) can be challenging. Care for a person with DMD involves different kinds of doctors, which makes coordinating care difficult. The quality and type of care that patients with DMD receive may vary from one treatment facility to another.”

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#Ameribest #wearehereforyou #wearehiring #homecare #TakeCareofEachOther #homehealthcare #WaiverProgram #ElderCarePhiladelphia #CareforLovedOne #Homecarenurse #Choosecaregiver #PhysicalTherapy #OccupationalTherapy #Skillednursing #ApplyforHomeCarePhiladelphia #WorkforfamilyPhiladelphia