Carers & Disability Support Workers
Disability support workers and carers hold unique and challenging roles. In recognition of this, here are some valuable tips from our psychology team to assist you in your role as a carer or disability support worker.
Tips for Carers & Disability Support Workers
our experts in disability support care have put together the top tips and tricks to assist you in your role as a disability support worker or carer.
From how to be a good disability support worker to when to set emotional boundaries as a carer. We have everything you need to know right here.
How to avoid compassion fatigue
Compassion fatigue, also known as burn-out, is an occupational hazard for caregivers. It’s a catch-22 that only deeply caring people are susceptible to compassion fatigue, and only deeply caring people become caregivers…
How to respond to clients in pain as a disability support worker
Compassionate listening and responding to people in pain offers a way you can reduce distress in your clients. If you find your self at a loss of how to assist a client in distress some of these tips might help…
How to cope with criticism
Support work is sensitive and intimate work. This means there are lots of opportunities for differences of opinion, distress and conflict. These situations can cause intense feelings like anger, disappointment or failure. It is important that you have the skills to manage conflict and criticism to ensure successful visits with your clients…
How to set emotional boundaries as a disability support worker or carer
Have you ever needed to set boundaries with your client, say no to their requests, or discuss concerns you have about your client to you regional coordinator, but felt you couldn’t do so because your client views you as a friend more than a support worker?
How to cope with the loss of a client
When a resident in one of our community houses passes away, the impact on the other residents and staff is often profound. Our disability support workers are in a unique position when a client dies in that they are not only grieving themselves, but they are continuing to provide a personal service and the stressors associated with their work may affect their own journey of adapting to the loss of a client…
Active listening skills for carers & disability support workers
As a disability support worker, you’re required to work closely with other human beings. This means there are many opportunities for misunderstandings, confusion and of course feelings! Good communication skills can assist you to manage some of the more problematic experiences of such intimate work eg. when a client becomes upset or distressed…
How to be a better problem solver
Support work is challenging work with many demands placed on you. While completing the tasks of your shift, clients may share their concerns and problems with you…
How to give clients a compliment
When you’re meeting a new client for the first time it’s important to build a good working relationship. One important skill is giving compliments. Research has shown that you’re more likely to be perceived by others as understanding and sympathetic if you compliment them. This is hardly surprising as who among us doesn’t want to be appreciated…
How to cope with stress at work
Explore the different ways in which we cope with demands and the most effective strategies to manage stressful work situations…
How to relieve suffering from alcohol
One of the many challenges associated with support work is that your workplace is also someone’s home. You may be concerned alcohol use is affecting your client’s health, making you feel uncomfortable or making your job more challenging…
Disability Workers
For information on becoming a Disability Support Worker, please use the button below for a list of Frequently Asked Questions for Disability Support Workers.
