Setting Boundaries
Contents
- Objectives
- Perceptions and Relationships
- Relationship Activity
- Vulnerability
- Boundaries Provide Safeguards
- Summary
Objectives
Heighten Awareness
Of the need for creating boundaries for ourselves and our consumers when it comes to personal interaction.
Recognize Vulnerability
Of the consumer and the staff to misunderstandings
Develop Boundaries
To safeguard consumers and staff from possible abusive situations
Perceptions
and Relationships
Perceptions are based on attitudes,
beliefs, values and experiences.
Click on the link above and consider the picture you see. In each, there are 2 different visions you may see. Some people see one first and some see the other first. Some may only see one view of a picture. These are visual examples of how we individually perceive things based on our own experiences, attitude, value and beliefs.
Perceptions of our roles and relationships impact our daily lives in many ways. Let's consider our perspective in the next activity.
Relationship Activity
From the list below, select 4 words that describe your relationship with the consumer(s) you work with regularly. Then review the linked page below for discussion points for each.
WORDS: service provider, rewarding, time consuming, aide/helper, buddy, boss, stressful, unproductive, trainer, friend, challenging, caring, co-worker, support, care giver, pal, a job.
You may not agree with all the explanations given here. However, the goal of this lesson is to reinforce the concept
that certain boundaries between you and the consumer must be maintained to ensure the safety and character of both the consumer and yourself. Otherwise you each become vulnerable to other problems
Vulnerability
According to Merriam-Webster, vulnerable means "capable of being physically or emotionally wounded, "open to attack or damage…".
When we speak of the vulnerability of our consumers, we usually are thinking of how easily they can be taken advantage of or how their low cognitive ability may make them victim to some type of mistreatment by others. The reality of this statement is that we, as service providers, can very easily be the ones to be accused of taking advantage, or abusing, the consumer. We spend a great deal of time with them and it becomes easy for us to fall into habits that actually make us vulnerable to the accusation of alleged abuse or mistreatment. That is why it is essential that we maintain our professional boundaries between the consumer and ourselves.
For example: Yesterday it was ok that you tugged on the consumer's shirt to remind him that it was half hanging out of his pants. Today, for whatever reason, he feels you stepped over the boundary by pulling on his clothes and is charging you with abuse. What was viewed as acceptable behavior yesterday by the consumer may be taken as an invasion of their person today. You have allowed yourself to become vulnerable to the reality of becoming too familiar with the consumer and not treating him with respect and dignity that he expects.
When you are in a situation where you realize that you may have made the consumer feel vulnerable, go back to the consumer and clear up the situation as soon as possible. Don't walk away and let the situation develop into something more than it really was. It may not prevent an allegation from being made but it will look much better for you if you attempt to restore the respect and dignity than if you made no attempt.
So how do we set and keep appropriate boundaries?
Boundaries Provide Safeguards
Setting boundaries demonstrates that you recognize that your role is to provide quality services that encourage growth, choice, independence and satisfaction. The ways in which to demonstrate this are:
· Be Professional; be aware of boredom, frustration or stress creeping in and changing your perception
· Be Sensitive; to the consumers' self-esteem issues
· Support the consumer by setting and understanding clear boundaries (excessive hugging, walking away from worksite to chat, expecting "favors" because you are their "friend")
· Respect
1. for a person's privacy
2. personal space
3. avoid power struggles
4. consumer right to make choices - ask rather than demand
5. clear separation of your role with the consumer at work and your own personal life.
In the next link, there are three "blurred boundary scenarios" for you to examine and determine how the situations may have been handled better. Please write out your answers or print the scenarios and write your comments with them to submit at the completion of this course.
In this course, you have examined the need to maintain appropriate relationships with consumers on and off the job so as not to make the consumer or you vulnerable to misunderstandings and possible incidents or allegations. This can be accomplished by
· Remembering how your perception, attitude, values and beliefs impact your thoughts and actions.
· Recognizing the vulnerable position both the consumer and you are in with regard to misunderstandings and unfounded allegations.
· Developing boundaries between the consumer and yourself that reflect respect, sensitivity, and support.
Please complete the following evaluation by printing the document and completing the questions.
E-Learning Setting Boundaries Evaluation
Send both of these documents to
the Training Department attention: Beth Sweet,
THANK YOU!