The Challenge: Knowing When to Step In
One of our caregivers was providing care for a client who had recently been hospitalized and placed on a strict pureed meal plan. Every day, she carefully followed the guidelines, preparing and serving meals as instructed.
However, the client’s daughter would visit and bring her mother bananas—a food not included in the plan. While the client could eat them without immediate difficulty, the caregiver felt uneasy. What if she choked when no one was there? Would she be blamed?
At the same time, she hesitated to correct the daughter. Was it her place to say something? Would speaking up cause tension? Could she even lose her job?
The Solution: Speaking Up for the Client’s Well-Being
Advocating for a client isn’t always easy. It can mean having difficult conversations—sometimes with family members. However, as caregivers, our responsibility is always to the safety and well-being of our clients.
Instead of staying silent, this caregiver made the right call. She reached out to our care coordination team after her shift and explained the situation. The coordinators then consulted the care management team, who reviewed the client’s care plan and contacted the daughter directly.
The daughter was completely understanding. She had assumed bananas were soft enough to be safe but hadn’t considered the risk. She immediately stopped bringing them, preventing a potential emergency.
This situation highlights the power of effective communication and client advocacy. A simple conversation helped ensure the client’s safety, strengthen the care plan, and reassure the caregiver that she did the right thing.
Our Tips for Advocating for Clients
- Always Review Care Plans and Instructions
- Care plans exist for a reason—they’re your guide to keeping clients safe.
- Familiarize yourself with all details before beginning care. If something is unclear, ask!
- Speak with the Team
- If something feels wrong, don’t ignore your intuition.
- Talk to the care coordination team—it’s always better to ask questions than to assume.
- Be Respectful When Speaking with Family
- It can be intimidating to address concerns with family, neighbours, or other caregivers. Always communicate your concerns with the Equinoxe coordination team so we can support you. You are not alone in advocating for your client’s safety and care.
- Stay professional and calm. You can refer to the official care plan to support your concerns.
- It’s Okay to Be Wrong
- Advocating isn’t about being “right”—it’s about prioritizing safety.
- If a professional corrects your concerns, accept the clarification with grace. The goal is always to provide the best care possible.
Conclusion
Being a caregiver means more than following instructions—it means looking out for your client’s best interests. Speaking up when something seems off is never out of place; it’s a sign of dedication and professionalism.
At Equinoxe, we support and trust our caregivers to be advocates. If you ever feel unsure, reach out to the team—we are always here to help.