1 Make eye contact with both the caregiver and the person getting care when discussing medical alternatives, instructions or concerns.

So often the caregiver providing the information for a loved one is the only one who receives eye contact from the health professional. Now, it is natural to speak to the person speaking. But a quick connection with the person who is being talked about will involve that person no matter what the level of retention might be.

How does this help the caregiver?

Well, it makes the caregiver feel that they are not the only one involved in the decision making. Note that I said “feel” because it many cases they are the only ones who are making decisions. However, it also feels good to know that the health professional has not, in haste, left your loved one out of the discussion.

Take the case of Sally O who sat in a consultation with a doctor with her mom who was 89 years young with dementia. She listened as the doctor and his young attendee explained the effects of the new drug they wanted to use on her mom’s condition. She knew she would have to repeat every thing that was shared in a user friendly way later at dinner.

But Sally wanted the doctor to just look at her with some sort of assurance, some sort of hope. Then she would probably feel less alone in the process of dealing with her mom’s condition.  Her eyes looked to the doctor and shifted towards her mom to give her a clue to look at her. But the doctor just asked her to explain it to her again later.

But the young attendee saw her body language que and took her hand and said “I hope you feel better.”

Sally only wished that the young attendee was ready to open her own practice.

What tips do you have?