Learning to Listen  Listening to Learn Module 2 – Values and Attitudes VON Canada Values and Attitudes Module 2

Learning to Listen  Listening to Learn Module 2 – Values and Attitudes  Learning Objectives 1.To explore VON Canada’s values. 2.To make explicit the values and attitudes held by the Caregiver Best Practice Team and caregivers accessing our programs and services. 3.To confront your own values and beliefs towards caregivers.

Learning to Listen  Listening to Learn Module 2 – Values and Attitudes VON Vision, Mission, Values Vision: VON Canada will be Canada's leading charitable organization addressing community health and social needs.

Learning to Listen  Listening to Learn Module 2 – Values and Attitudes VON Vision, Mission, Values Mission: VON Canada, a charity, guided by the principles of primary healthcare, works in partnership with Canadians for a healthier society through:  Leadership in community-based care  Delivery of innovative, comprehensive health and social services  Influence in the development of health and social policy

Learning to Listen  Listening to Learn Module 2 – Values and Attitudes VON Vision, Mission, Values Core Values: Respect Participation Responsiveness Courage

Learning to Listen  Listening to Learn Module 2 – Values and Attitudes Valuing Caregivers  Caring has meaning and is important work.  Caregivers are unique individuals with unique needs.  Caregiver’s relationship with the care receiver is unique and may change over time.

Learning to Listen  Listening to Learn Module 2 – Values and Attitudes Valuing Caregivers  Caregiver’s needs may be different and in conflict with the care receiver’s needs. As providers, it is important to help create a balance so that both of their needs will be met over time.  Caregivers have a life beyond caregiving.

Learning to Listen  Listening to Learn Module 2 – Values and Attitudes Valuing Caregivers  Caregivers have the right to make an informed decision to be a caregiver. It is often assumed that family members will provide care. This decision must be negotiated with the family members, understanding the duties of all parties (the care receiver, the caregiver, and the provider) under what conditions, and with what resources.

Learning to Listen  Listening to Learn Module 2 – Values and Attitudes Valuing Caregivers  Caregivers tend to be women. We believe both men and women should be supported to participate in care to the extent that they are willing and able.  Caregivers should be supported in their choices.

Learning to Listen  Listening to Learn Module 2 – Values and Attitudes Valuing Caregivers  Caregivers have the right to access, in a timely and effective manner, within their community, information, support and services relevant to the stages of their caregiving journey. These supports and services are not a favour, but essential to recognize, support, and value the contribution of caregivers who are caring for ill, disabled, or dying family members.

Learning to Listen  Listening to Learn Module 2 – Values and Attitudes Supporting Caregivers  It is important to check our own assumptions and expectations about caregivers and make changes to our practice accordingly, in a non-judgemental manner.  W e must truly listen to the needs of caregivers, believe in their needs, and support them in meeting their needs. Caregivers have the required knowledge and experience to voice their own needs, and the solutions to meet these needs.

Learning to Listen  Listening to Learn Module 2 – Values and Attitudes Supporting Caregivers  We need to take time to develop trusting relationships with the care receiver and caregiver and to ensure continuity of the care.  We should create supportive environments that are respectful of the home and privacy of the family, and acknowledge the relationship between the care receiver, caregiver, and provider in the context of a complex home and community care system.

Learning to Listen  Listening to Learn Module 2 – Values and Attitudes Supporting Caregivers  As providers, we should view our relation to caregivers as members of a caring team that shares the workload and develops a true partnership.  The main question we should be asking ourselves is, “How do I make this easier for the caregiver and care receiver?” We must then be prepared to take on many different roles to support the caregiver.

Learning to Listen  Listening to Learn Module 2 – Values and Attitudes Supporting Caregivers  It is important to put yourself in the shoes of the family in order to fully understand their situation and to know how you would want to be treated as a client and caregiver.

Learning to Listen  Listening to Learn Module 2 – Values and Attitudes Concluding Comments  VON values caregivers!  Our vision and mission are congruent with supporting caregivers.