When “Difficult” May Actually Mean “Discerning.”
When “Difficult” May Actually Mean “Discerning” A service system may measure success by whether a provider was available, arrived, and completed assigned tasks. But the person receiving support may be measuring something very different: Can this person safely and appropriately support me? That distinction becomes especially important when care is complex. A worker can be present and still not understand the individual’s physiology, equipment, positioning, communication, routines, warning signs, or the reasons care must be performed in a particular way. And when the individual or family says: “That person isn’t adequately trained.” “That isn’t how this needs to be done.” “Please listen when he tells you something is changing.” “Completing the task isn’t enough.” they can begin to be perceived as demanding, inflexible, unwilling to accept help—or simply difficult . But perhaps the better question is: Is the individual refusing help—or refusing help that does not safely ...
