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Training a New Caregiver When You Have SMA
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
So as I mentioned in a previous post, I just started working with a new caregiving agency, in order to acquire a caregiver to work Saturday mornings. I worked with this person this past Saturday, and it went quite well. This woman was really competent and had a lot of experience in healthcare. I’ve been really impressed with this agency so far.
Nevertheless, training a new caregiver is always anxiety-inducing for me. I’m fine with Spinraza injections, speaking engagements, traveling, and a host of other things that might make other people nervous; but when it comes to working with a new caregiver, I always dread the experience at least some. Especially with my morning routine, it’s exhausting taking someone new through each step and making sure that they do everything correctly. I also worry about personalities blending and all of those things as well.
Again, I’m glad this one worked out, but it’ll still take some time before she gets my routine down without any help. My Dad was there Saturday to help show her the ropes. She did really well with getting me in and out of the bathroom and showered, and my Dad didn’t even have to help there. The challenging part was getting me from my bed to my wheelchair, and then situated in my chair with my catheter on. This part will probably take some time to really “master.”
Do you all have these anxieties as well? Do you have any specific strategies for training a new caregiver and making them feel welcome? I always feel like I’m overwhelming them at first, especially because my morning routine and the way I have to be handled is so specific.