Patience is one of the most important qualities a certified home health aide can have. Every patient is unique, and no matter how challenging they are, your job is to provide effective care. This requires patience. If you’re having trouble with a client or find yourself short-tempered, here are a few tips that can help.
How to Develop More Patience
1. Practice Deep Breathing
Aggressive patients can be overwhelming, and it’s important to stop and breathe. Deep breathing techniques can help you stay calm. Remove yourself from the situation, if possible, and count each inhale and exhale for at least two minutes. Focus on what you’re feeling and where you’re feeling it. Being aware of your emotions is an important first step.
2. Create a Work-Life Balance
Working with patients every day can be challenging at times, and the more stressed you are, the less patience you’ll have. Take time to yourself. Schedule a vacation or weekly time to enjoy an activity with friends. During this time, meditate, exercise, eat healthy foods, and get plenty of sleep. You’ll return to your patients refreshed and ready to be an effective certified home health aide.
3. Identify Triggers
Recognizing what affects your patience will help you avoid triggers. Is it because the patient is loud or overly demanding? If so, create plans to avoid these situations and quickly defuse them if they arise. Take more time to speak with them before performing tasks, and talk in a relaxing tone. Explore your triggers by journaling about them and trying to understand where they come from.
If you’re interested in exploring a career in health care as a certified home health aide, Big Apple Training offers all the resources you’ll need. Based in Westchester County, NY, they offer a variety of training programs for positions, including CNAs, pharmacy technicians, and EKG technicians. Explore each program and their schedule of classes on their website, or call (914) 437-7373 to speak to their admissions office.