Tips for Male Live-in Carers

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Tips for Male Live-in Carers

• "Hard times don't create heroes. It is during the
  hard times when the hero within us is revealed."
  -Bob Riley.

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Over the past few decades, there has been a vast
growth of male live-in care workers

• However, even today, when we think about men
  doing traditional household work, such as
  cooking, washing dishes, laundering, etc., we
  still come up with a surprise. Care giving is
  indeed associated with females, but what we don't
  realize is that irrespective of our gender, we
  all can provide care.
• Traditionally, women have always been expected to
  care for people in their lives. However, recent
  studies have shown that men are more likely to
  participate in the care industry. Men can be just
  as patient, efficient, nurturing, and
  understanding as women. Indeed, men are often
  regarded as hard and strong, but there are a lot
  of elderly and disabled men who prefer male
  live-in carers. It happens especially when it
  comes to personal care like bathing, using
  toiletries, and getting dressed. This idea of a
  "big, strong man who can do anything" fascinates
  most residents. These are the things that
  increase the demands of male live-in carers. This
  article has enumerated some details about care
  job to help you understand if this career option
  is right for you.

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Lets see how male live-in carers can improve
their care giving skills

• Do Your Research -
• Researching your patient's medical
  condition will help you gain a contemporary
  perspective. Gathering as much information as
  possible about their health is important to
  ensure that your care recipient is in good
  health. Health research is crucial for live-in
  caregivers. It will provide you with essential
  information about their health condition, risk
  factors, functional abilities, patterns of care,
  and much more. Furthermore, inquire about
  community support groups available in your area.
  It will guide you through the procedure and give
  you the most suitable alternative for an ailing
  member.
•  
• Acquire Practical Skills
• The journey will indeed be challenging. You might
  get a few difficult assignments initially but
  remember practice makes a man perfect.
  Developing practical skills will help you gain
  expertise in no time. You can also seek
  professional help from your senior live-in carers
  if necessary. You can become the best male
  live-in caregiver with their assistance regarding
  medical and nursing matters. Furthermore, you can
  also participate in different courses and
  seminars near you to enhance your skills.
  Nevertheless, you can likewise browse online
  resources if there are no options.

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Practice Open Communication

• Open communication is one of the most crucial
  elements for a male caregiver. Your patients are
  already at the most vulnerable stage of their
  lives. Most of these members often feel like a
  burden or a nuisance. As their caregiver, you
  will be responsible for being patient, kind, and
  empathetic with them. Open communication enables
  you to establish an effective rapport with your
  care recipient. Building strong interpersonal
  relationships will help you solicit sensitive
  health information and work efficiently.
•  
• Practice Patience
• As a male live-in carer, you must be patient with
  yourself and your residents. Being patient with
  yourself will allow you to keep yourself calm.
  Remember, making mistakes is OK-all humans dobut
  always try to give it your best.
• Communication can be tough for vulnerable people.
  They often get annoyed by the most insignificant
  things. This pain and frustration make them feel
  like a burden on their family members, triggering
  their mood swings and leading to depression and
  anxiety. Handling these mood swings can be
  challenging, but you must be patient and
  empathic. One way to do this is to avoid taking
  anything personally and remember that they are
  struggling through a tough phase of their lives.
  In this regard, address and treat their feelings
  with respect and dignity.

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Do Not Rely On Brute Strength

• If the person you're caring for is especially
  disabled, you might have the urge to use your
  strength to assist with ADLs or transfers. Of
  course, there may be instances when this is
  required, but doing it frequently puts you in
  danger of getting hurt.
• Follow the lead of licensed physical therapists
  emphasizing leverage and knowledge of biodynamic
  more than just muscle strength. We have witnessed
  thinner men helping larger-framed male patients,
  which is unhealthy for their health. Thus, it is
  safer for you and better for your patients'
  physical and mental health if you let them
  participate in minor activities as much as is
  feasible.
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• Establish Boundaries
• Boundaries are the framework within which the
  clinician-client relationship exists. It provides
  the parameters for services, making the
  relationship professional and safe for both
  parties. Even when you spend most of your time
  sharing the most intimate moments with that one
  person, it is still essential to establish
  healthy boundaries. These boundaries include
  knowing your limitations, the time of a session,
  the limits of personal disclosure, and your
  comfort level.
• Boundaries also play a crucial role for the care
  recipient. What are the things they are
  uncomfortable about? What are their likes and
  dislikes, etc.? These things maintain a healthy
  balance between both ends of the relationship.

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Self-Care Is Non-Negotiable

• The overwhelming feeling we get when caring for
  someone ill often makes us forget about our
  happiness. There are better approaches than this.
  No matter what profession you are in, giving
  yourself some time and taking care of yourself is
  imperative. Do things that calm your soul,
  whether swimming, a sports activity, a movie, or
  a drink with your friends. It is a non-negotiable
  thing. Even if you have a busy schedule, you can
  consider doing these basic things
• Exercise (even for 30 minutes every day)
• Eat healthily
• Take enough sleep
• Remember to hydrate yourself.
• Talk to someone if you feel anxious.
• Get some laughs
•  

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Do The Nitty-Gritty Tasks

• Even in the 21st century, men are known for not
  doing nitty-gritty tasks like feeding and bathing
  their patients. Depending on your circumstances,
  you might want to hire additional help to handle
  these tasks, but we advise you to get used to
  taking everything on your own. As a caregiver, it
  is solely your responsibility to manage the
  private functions of your care recipient. While
  it is no picnic, you must be comfortable and
  prepared for any emergency.

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The Bottom Line

• Today, formerly stigmatized male carers are more
  prevalent and accepted, whereas women once
  predominated. Nevertheless, role bias is still
  present due to social expectations of men and
  ingrained stereotypes about carers. So, isn't it
  time to change our prejudices? After all, we
  don't question a female pilot or a male nurse. As
  a society, we are responsible for normalizing men
  as care workers and ensuring that both genders
  can be equally efficient in their job
  responsibilities.

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