Companionship is important for everyone, but the thought of meeting someone new can seem overwhelming for some people regardless of their age, ability or background. Whether you, your client or your relative is a new member of Home Care Heroes or has been a member for some time, here are some tips to help facilitate a smooth transition with a new Hero.
Tip 1: Plan to Work on a Project or Goal Together
When you post a mission with a task or goal already in mind, this can help break the ice with a new Hero and Member duo, and shift the focus more towards the goal or task at hand. It allows conversation to flow, and will relax the person who needs assistance to see that their new Hero is comfortable with the task and keen to help.
When you achieve a goal with a partner or Hero, the feeling of accomplishment is shared together. Rather than attempting to complete the goal on your own, a Hero can not only provide physical assistance and skill-building, but on an emotional level can also provide support through tough times and motivation to keep trying. This experience and understanding of reaching a goal helps to develop a genuine bond of friendship.
Gisele M. in NSW says “Tarryn (Hero) has been helping me to overcome accessibility barriers of the digital kind, which is enabling me to fulfil one of my NDIS goals to continue and grow my volunteer role in this sphere.”
Tip 2: Shared Interests or Passions Fuel Companionship
Say for example you are just starting care services for elderly living at home, and you are planning to introduce your mother, who needs some extra support, to a Hero. Rather than just a general explanation of aged care support and companionship, it is much more appealing telling her that a student from her local suburb with a passion for organic food and gardening wants to meet her.
Home Care Heroes matches Members with Heroes in their local area who share their passions and interests. For example, Kerrie R. in NSW says “My son Luke had a fabulous time at Comicon with Hero Evan. All my son's favourite things in one place and Evan was very patient while he explored and took some great photos!”
Tip 3: Organise an Initial ‘Chance Encounter’
Our Heroes understand that connecting with new people can be an extremely personal and sensitive experience, especially for someone who is reluctant to accept care in the first place. Another tip to help ease the introduction of a new Hero is to firstly organise a ‘chance encounter’ through having them stop by a local café or bump into you and your loved one on a walk. This is a subtle way to lesson anxiety and get a sense of the right match.
Tina P. in NSW “ It’s not easy to accept strangers in your home but Homecare Heroes are different, for the first time I feel at ease. I highly recommend them.”
Looking for a non-medical care and companionship? Home Care Heroes is an NDIS-approved provider, on a mission to reduce social isolation and feelings of loneliness caused by disability, illness or ageing. We want to build more inclusive communities, through the power of human connection. In order to become a Hero and join our network, there is a careful screening process including an online values test, reference checks face-to-face inductions and more to ensure they meet our standards. We have Heroes with a wide range of skills throughout the greater Sydney region, Newcastle, Wollongong and the Central Coast NSW, so you can find a local Hero who has similar interests to you.
Sign up to become a Member and post a mission today, to experience for yourself why we have over sixty 5-star ratings on Google.