All communication with Supporters / Clients and their Carers’ needs to be professional, respectful and non-judgemental.


Remember each person is an individual and you may need to adapt how you communicate to meet the individual’s needs.


Clients with dementia may tell you that they don’t need the service you are there to provide. It is important to remember that dementia causes cognitive changes, including memory loss. In this situation it is important to contact the Supporter, and follow their instructions.


While it is important to establish a rapport with your Supporters, it is equally important to observe boundaries:

  • You should not discuss your personal circumstances, exchange phone numbers or visit outside of rostered times. 
  • Money and gifts are not to be accepted.
  • Sharing a cup of tea with a Supporter is generally accepted. You should not consume any of the Supporter’s food or beverages. You must take your own meals and drinks to each shift.  
  • Never accept money to do tasks or activities outside what has been scheduled through the InPlace Care platform. 
  • Do not provide financial, personal or legal advice to any Supporter.
  • If a Supporter is seeking advice outside your scope of practice, this should be reported to the family and InPlace Care who can follow up and look at getting the appropriate resources required.
  • Witnessing of documents is not allowed.

Medical emergencies

An ambulance should be called immediately, if possible use the Supporter’s home line as this generally brings up the address at the 000 call centre (although the operator will still request this from you).

Contact InPlace Care as well as any listed emergency contacts and stay with the Supporter until the ambulance arrives.

Personal Threat


If at any time you feel unsafe or threatened then you should immediately contact the appropriate emergency services and InPlace Care. If there is imminent threat to your person immediately leave the area. 


Documentation

You are required to complete the progress notes in the system Log Book and any other documentation that is required, e.g. drug count book, at the end of each shift. 


Remember – that these are legal documents and all documentation must be completed in a professional manner and be legible.


Changes in a Client’s condition or any concerns should be reported promptly to the family / doctor or relevant services.

Examples of changes could be:

  • Mobility
  • Cognition
  • Skin integrity
  • Continence

Or concerns about:

  • Medication (notice the Supporter hasn’t taken)
  • Food (lack of, or food that has gone off)
  • Neglect or abuse Lack of heating or cooling
  • Broken equipment etc.
  • Anything else out of the ordinary

 

Important Numbers

 

InPlace Care: 

 

Ambulance, Police, Fire: 000 

 

Nurse on call – 24/7: 1300 60 60 24