Module six
Looking after yourself
6. Looking after yourself
This section covers:
6.1 Impact of our emotions
at work
6.2 Self care strategies, boundaries and
looking after ourselves
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Learning outcomes
At the end of this session you
will be able to:
•
Define the term ‘boundaries’
•
State two examples of ‘boundaries’ in everyday work
•
List four impacts on care workers
•
Describe three ways you ‘look after yourself’
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6.1 Impact of our emotions at work
•
working in aged care services is
an emotional business – often
more emotional than physical
•
one of the most effective tools
you have is your relationship
•
tension – putting into practice a model of care which is ‘personcentred’ and has a ‘relationship focus’
versus
‘protect yourself’ by ‘keeping professional’ and put person with
dementia ‘at an arm’s length’.
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The impact of caring on you
Being AWARE helps us to COPE & PREPARE!
Physical
 What is happening to my state of health &
well being?
Emotional
 How do I feel during and when I finish work?
Perceptions
 How do I make sense of work experiences?
Can knowledge help me to cope?
Activities
 Do I balance my work / lifestyle?
Relationships
 Has work impacted on my relationships
(family, friends)
Expertise
 What am I learning as a care worker?
How do you feel?
• How do you feel when a person
with dementia ‘spits’ at you
or swears at you?
• We know not to take it personally but does it effect our emotions?
• How do you feel when you cannot meet the person’s needs or the
service cannot meet the person’s needs – a failure?
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6.2 Self care strategies using boundaries
‘Boundaries’ = the limits of
Appropriate behaviour in our
personal and caring relationships.
Appropriate boundaries allow us to understand our role, the needs of
people with dementia, and workload of colleagues.
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Purpose of boundaries
The purpose of having boundaries is twofold:
 protect people we are assisting
 take care of ourselves.
Boundaries define our limits !
Being aware of your stress levels and
using self care strategies will help us
to keep our boundaries!
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Case Study
“I have been providing respite to the
wife of my client for one year. She is
isolated and lonely and often tells me I am her only
friend. Last week she gave me a gold watch that
once belonged to her husband (my client) because
he can no longer tell the time. She also asked me
to attend his 80th birthday party. I love being able to
support her and she makes me feel so good about
being able to help … but I don’t know whether I
should go?”
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Boundaries of care
• Know what is expected of you in your role
• Be clear about your role from the beginning
• Be self aware – trust your ‘gut’ reaction!
• Talk to your team leader/ manager
• Refer when necessary
• Support your colleagues and seek support
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Looking after yourself
Look after yourself and your emotions
Manage your emotions and feelings
• Identify sources of stress
• Awareness, Balance and Control
• Regain balance – you can do
something about it with self care strategies
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The practice of reflection
The use of reflection to look
after yourself
Self talk - address your
expectations & be kind to yourself.
The most vulnerable people are
the people we employ because
they are kind & passionate.
A different perspective.
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