care work - difficult people

stripedwellies

honeyD wrote: »

Sorry not ignoring the posts, just busy. Will reply tonight but today was a lot better and she apologised for her behaviour last week.
Sorry If Im coming across badly, I feel I have to fight my corner but I could probably do with some guidance on other jobs to do but will come back later when I have time to reply properly.
Thanks all.

Oh that's good. She knows she overstepped the mark then. I picture a school ma'am type individual who likes everything just so, is frustrated that she can't do things herself and likes to show that she's 'the boss' yet has a heart. ( and I could be completely wrong too). If so you can work with that and I genuinely think that progress could be made if you anticipate how she might react to some of your actions.
You may never fully win her over but you'll certainly learn some techniques on how to deal with similar characters in a more assertive yet still kind way.

stripedwellies

angel223 wrote: »

The most valuable lessons my mum taught me with caring are to treat others as you would want to be treated, knowing that you cannot possibly understand how scary it is to grow old with your body giving out before your very eyes and face your own mortality (often facing it alone) and to never forget it for a single moment.

What a lovely way to put it.
I always feel it's harder for those who are completely with it yet their bodies let them down.

jackieb

meg72 wrote: »

No, I more than dislike it ,I hate it, my mentally ill Son was frequently addressed this way, strange, I thought he was supposed to be a patient. I regard myself as a service user when I get on a bus.

I hate it too, but I have to use it as we're told we have to.

adouglasmhor

meg72 wrote: »

No, I more than dislike it ,I hate it, my mentally ill Son was frequently addressed this way, strange, I thought he was supposed to be a patient. I regard myself as a service user when I get on a bus.

What do you suggest. If they are in their own home or a centre they are not a patient. Client has it's own pitfalls my GF and another carer were talking about what clients wanted to do (not mentioning clients by name) one day at lunch in a pub and you could see all the perves and curtain twitchers earwigging in thinking they were another sort of working girl and they were going to hear something sallacious.

Errata

jackieb wrote: »

I hate it too, but I have to use it as we're told we have to.

I also dislike the term 'service user'. It isn't necessary as it's a very lazy way of saying 'someone who uses services' and in fact when speaking of an individual where everyone concerned knows the person uses services the individual can better be referred to as 'them' or 'they' or by their name.
As a group they are 'people who use services'.

stripedwellies

adouglasmhor wrote: »

What do you suggest. If they are in their own home or a centre they are not a patient. Client has it's own pitfalls my GF and another carer were talking about what clients wanted to do (not mentioning clients by name) one day at lunch in a pub and you could see all the perves and curtain twitchers earwigging in thinking they were another sort of working girl and they were going to hear something sallacious.

Oh how ridiculous! Too vivid an imagination I reckon.

What's wrong with good old fashioned 'carer' then?

Actually, come to think of it....couldn't 'service user' conjure up a picture as described above?:rotfl:

stripedwellies

Errata wrote: »

As a group they are 'people who use services'.

Don't we all?

I hate it too, but I have to use it as we're told we have to.

Another case of political correctness gone barmy.

adouglasmhor

stripedwellies wrote: »

Oh how ridiculous! Too vivid an imagination I reckon.

What's wrong with good old fashioned 'carer' then?

Actually, come to think of it....couldn't 'service user' conjure up a picture as described above?:rotfl:

Nothing wrong with carer - who said there was? Could you try to read before posting please?
Service user has no such connotations to me or anyone I know so I bow to your experience in those matters.
I asked for suggestions as to how the people using a service should be referred to. Bearing in mind the obvious confidentiality issues preventing use of names another term has to be used.
Thank you for your post, glad you find issues around care and those who need it amusing.

jackieb

stripedwellies wrote: »

Oh how ridiculous! Too vivid an imagination I reckon.

What's wrong with good old fashioned 'carer' then?

Actually, come to think of it....couldn't 'service user' conjure up a picture as described above?:rotfl:

But a service user isn't a carer. They're being cared for.

stripedwellies

adouglasmhor wrote: »

Nothing wrong with carer - who said there was? Could you try to read before posting please?
Service user has no such connotations to me or anyone I know so I bow to your experience in those matters.
I asked for suggestions as to how the people using a service should be referred to. Bearing in mind the obvious confidentiality issues preventing use of names another term has to be used.
Thank you for your post, glad you find issues around care and those who need it amusing.

Feeling a little on the touchy side this morning? I have read the posts. In fact, I started this side topic, remember?
I just resent these terms being forced upon people for no good reason. I don't know when this latest came about. At least 'client' reminds people that the 'service user' who is being cared for is paying for the service. I still prefer what I'm used to and that is 'a carer'.