Psychology Primer for In-Home Caregiving

Author: Mark Parkinson BsPharm:  President  AFC-CE

Credit Hours 2 - Approximate time required: 120 min.

Educational Goal

Primer for In-Home Caregivers about psychological conditions

Educational Objectives

  • Present videos about psychological conditions and tell ideas on how to utilize the info in care homes.

 

Procedure:

Read the course materials.  2. Click on exam portal [Take Exam].  3. If you have not done so yet fill in Register form (username must be the name you want on your CE certificate).  4. Log in  5. Take exam.  6. Click on [Show Results] when done and follow the instructions that appear.  7. A score of 70% or better is considered passing and a Certificate of Completion will be generated for your records.

Disclaimer

   The information presented in this activity is not meant contraindications may be of concern. All applicable manufacturers’ product information should be reviewed before use. The author and publisher of this continuing education program have made all reasonable efforts to ensure that all information contained herein is accurate in accordance with the latest available scientific knowledge at the time of acceptance for publication. Nutritional products discussed are not intended for the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease.to serve as a guideline for patient management. All procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this article should not be used by care providers without evaluation of their patients’ Doctor. Some conditions and possible

 

 

 

Psychology Primer for In-Home Caregiving

When you live with your patients you cannot help but be turned into a bit of a psychologist to them. It’s one of the advantages and burdens you have as a caregiver in a home environment.  The advantage is you become closer to the patient than any other medical care provider. The burden is how do you use that intimacy correctly for the best outcomes. As I have said many times, I am just an old country pharmacist, not a trained psychologist. But I have found a psychologist who just might give you some of the understanding that you need to be a better In-home caregiver. I am going to show you a series of YouTube videos presented by Dr. Tracey Marks. In her own words she “makes mental health education videos”. She is psychologist from Atlanta Georgia with more than 20 years of experience. After each video, I will add my thoughts on how you can use the information she presents in a residential care setting.

A warning before we get started. You cannot and should not provide mental health therapy for your clients. Leave that burden to the professionals. You have enough on your plate already just keeping the home and business running smoothly. You can though take advantage of some of the psychology principles to provide a supportive environment for that therapy. At the very least you should have a basic understanding of what’s going on so you can be an effective advocate and caregiver for the client. As you watch each video, I want you to think about how you can use this info to make your In-Home caregiving easy and more effective. You are going to have to adapt the information to fit your own care setting. Whether that is geriatric, development disabled, or mental health home.  Most of the exam questions are designed to tell the powers that be that you actually watched the video so don’t overthink them. Got it, Good, let us Get started.

Exam taking hint*

Print out the exam questions before you start watching the videos or write down the next question as you go.

 

Video 1

 

Coping Skills and Psychological Defenses - An Introduction

 

 

Interesting stuff, right? What I got out of the video was an explanation of why some people are so negative. It is a coping skill. Not a very good one though. If you understand this, it is easier to tolerate outbursts of anger or negative behaviors in others. You could possibly help guide them to more effective coping skills. If the behavior is dangerous though , you should inform a mental health specialist about the issue.

 

Video 2

 

Self-Esteem: How It Changes And 2 Ways to Boost It

 

This video lists several areas where caregivers can help their residents build healthy self-esteem.

  • Recognizing the strengths, a resident has can increase self-esteem.
  • Discouraging criticism of others can reduce self-criticism a promote an increase of self-esteem.
  • Helping the resident with low self-esteem issues accept compliments.

 

Video 3

 

Big Egos vs. Strong Egos: How To Spot A Weak One

 

 

I believe this video helps caregivers evaluate the behaviors of their residents. It also lists 2 ways you can help the resident deal with problems.

  1. Engage in activities that increase their self-awareness.
  2. Promote self-care activities to improve both mental and physical health.

 

Video 4

 

The 5 Needs That Motivate You And How You Get Stuck

 

There weren’t many actionable items for caregivers in this one. I thought it was very good though at providing basic information about what drives people.

 

Video 5

 

What is Grit and How Do You Get It? Give yourself a break if you don’t have it.

 

 

This video provides ideas on how caregivers can be supportive of their residents’ emotional needs.

 

Video 6

 

Anxiety: 5 primitive Defenses You Use Against It

 

I like the idea of providing a punching bag-like item for residents who are dealing with a lot of built-up emotions.

 

Video 7

 

How Insecure Attachment Affect Your Relationships

 

I thought the first half of this video would be important for Developmentally Disabled homes and the last half for Mental Health Homes.

 

Video 8

 

How To Tell If You're Depressed

 

Depression is a big issue for residents in Adult Foster Care homes.

Everyone feels sad about having to live in your home because they can’t take care of themselves. When does that sadness crossover to become clinical depression that needs treatment? If you understand and recognize clinical depression symptoms better, you can get the help your residents need sooner.

 

Video 9

 

What Does It Mean To Project? A Psychological Defense Mechanism

 

 

I thought it important for you to know what projecting is and how it could be used to explain why residents accuse you of hating them or belittling them because of a mental or physical handicap.

It’s not about what you think of them. It’s about what they think of themselves.

 

Video 10

 

Locus of Control: What Is It & Why It Matters

 

 

I believe this video’s content is best applied to you as a caregiver. Where is your locus of control? How independent are your actions from the negative actions of your residents, other caregivers, and state regulators? What are you going to do to gain control over your own reactions to them?

 

Video 11

 

Seven Positive Psychological Traits That Predict Good Health

 

 

 

I wanted to end on a positive note. I believe that these concepts could also be applied to you to make you a better care provider.

 

Conclusion

Well, that certainly was a different Continuing Education course, wasn’t it? I hope you enjoyed the videos. I would suggest that you rewatch the videos a couple of times. You never know what other gems you might find. Don’t get too caught up in all the psychobabble and definitely don’t psychoanalyze yourself. Remember psychology is just the description of general characteristics of the human mind. It is possible to see all the above troubles in yourselves and your clients. But in reality, they do not seriously affect your or their day-to-day activities.

If you do notice something truly significant, work with a doctor or mental health professional. Finally, remember that in mental health you are not trying for a cure, you are trying to control. You are trying to reduce the negative to the point where the resident can function normally while in your care.

As always, good luck in your caregiving efforts.

Mark Parkinson BsPharm.

 

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