Here at Care In Kent we’ve been taking a closer look at the core values that make us who we are as carers; what they mean to us, what they mean to our clients, and how they shape our role.
It goes without saying that when any of us pay close attention to something, it shows that we care, that it is important to us, and that we are passionate about it. That is why being attentive is one of Care In Kent’s key values and a skill that is innate within all the members of our team.
But what exactly is attentiveness?
Why is it such a valuable skill? And, most importantly to us, how does it benefit those that we care for?
The dictionary definition of ‘attentive’ is, ‘mindful, observant. Heedful of the comfort of others’…and that pretty much sums up the Care In Kent family! When your loved ones are in our care, they have our undivided attention – whether that be for their immediate care needs, listening to and helping them to work through their worries or problems, or using our keen observational skills to spot any upcoming issues with their physical, mental and emotional well-being.
Attentive Care at its Finest
When our dedicated team members are with our clients, they give 100% of their attention at all times. If we are taking care of an older person who perhaps finds it hard to open up, we take the lead – sharing our own lives and experiences, with the aim of making that person feel comfortable enough to share the same with us. We understand how important it is for people’s mental health to talk, and to be listened to – and this is especially true for older people who may have lost a partner after many years together, have lost friends, or who don’t have family close by. We know that as carers we might be the only friendly face that a person sees, and so we go out of our way to not only offer something as simple-sounding as lending a friendly ear and a comforting chat over a cuppa, but to be attuned to our clients needs; to recognise the signs that an older person is feeling lonely, anxious, or depressed.
And to do something about it.
Being attentive as part of their skill-set means that, quite often, our carers are the first to spot changes in an older person’s cognitive abilities, mobility, and physical health – in a lot of cases even before a family member or doctor – and this can mean that medical care or therapies can be implemented much quicker…improving someone’s quality of life, and potentially even saving it.
We count attentiveness among our key values because we know that we need to be attuned to the needs of our clients whether they communicate with them or not. It’s crucial to us because we’re aware that in many cases, those in our care might not even be aware that they need extra help, support or care, and so our team is skilled at being able to respond to those needs with little or no warning – such are the levels of attentiveness that they possess.
Attentiveness in Action: Early Detection for Enhanced Well-being
At Care In Kent we understand the importance of regular interaction when it comes to mental skills like listening, concentration, and memory. These ‘brain exercises’ are vital for keeping us mentally active – which is particularly important for older people. Staying mentally active is good for cognitive health, can stave off memory loss, anxiety, and depression, and can even mean that someone is less likely to suffer from dementia. By consistently being attentive, we ensure that our clients can receive all the benefits of social interaction, helping them to lead fuller, richer lives…improving their self-esteem, giving them a sense of belonging and purpose; all of the things your loved ones deserve.
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