We Put the Client First

When persons need home health care, quality of life is linked to meaningful relationships with the caregivers who assist them, according to several reports. People are social beings whose interaction with others gives them comfort, support and affection. These expressions of love and care are universal needs.

The need for reassurance
When clients have functional and cognitive impairments, their need for reassurance is multiplied.
Care providers serve a crucial role in supporting and validating the worth in their clients.

Respect, relationship and excellence
Respect, relationship and excellence of care impact a client’s life. Firsts Call caregivers not only meet the person’s physical needs, but put the individual before the task.

To do this, they:

• build a relationship with the person and offer friendship and companionship
• recognize and encourage the individual’s strengths and abilities
• provide familiar care routines
• encourage growth and development
• respect the individual’s religious, cultural and ethnic background
• promote a sense of well-being

Not too much, not too little
Our care providers do everything needed for the client, yet do not do too much. Persons needing care appreciate doing what they can for themselves. First Call staff find ways for the person to help themselves and maintain a level of independence.

Quality Care
To provide quality care, First Call caregivers:

• identify safety needs and make sure they are met
• encourage client’s interests, social life and community involvement so they have the fullest life possible
• ‘read between the lines’ and employ ‘active listening’ skills’ so they can respond to spoken and unspoken feelings expressed by clients
• are sensitive to light, noise, distractions, room temperature, etc., that may affect their clients

Working with families
Our caregivers recognize that the family is an important part of the care-giving team. They incorporate them and communicate with them whenever possible. They respect the family’s culture, relationships and identity.

Professional care
We train our care providers to practice these professional traits as they care for their clients:

• they leave their personal life at home: as conversations unfold, they do not burden their clients with personal problems
• they smile and use a calming voice: even when they speak up because a client is hard of hearing, they maintain a pleasant voice
• they communicate needs to the person who can meet them: if meds need to be changed, the caregiver communicates directly with the doctor
• they keep their promises: about when the next visit will be, what they will bring with them next time, what to expect in the future, etc.
• they encourage clients to make choices: about location of personal items, clothing choices, how to structure their day, etc.
• they take enough time to show their clients they care

The goal of our care providers is to improve their resident’s quality of life and happiness. At the same time, they maintain professional standards that are outstanding in the field of home health care.