You have a new client and you are trying to make a good first impression and develop some common ground. One of the first things you can do in making a good first impression is to get your client interested in having a conversation. Before you try and break into the conversation, be sure to start off on the right foot by making a good first impression.
Some things to consider:
- Confidence is Key. Even though you haven’t met before, the other person will be able to tell if you’re extremely nervous. Be as prepared as you can be!
- Good Hygiene is Important. Good breath, teeth brushed, hair combed.
- Dress to Impress. Wear your uniform shirt and clean pants/scrubs.
- Smile.
- If you are shaking hands, make sure it’s firm.
- Greet them by name and ask if you’re not sure how to say it, or if that’s what they want to go by.
- Be an Attentive Listener. Ask questions.
- Be Respectful.
Conversation Starters
Have you ever noticed some people can just start a conversation with anyone? Some people do this naturally and have learned how to do it effectively over a period of time. For others, they don’t normally try because it might seem intrusive to ask questions. These issues can be the same for the person you are about to try and start the conversation with. Some are hoping to have a great talk while others don’t know where to start, so reading the proverbial tea leaves might be in order here!
For instance, as you enter someone’s home to take care of them, you are now in the best possible place to look around and get clues about how to start a conversation. Take in their environment and see what sort of photos they have on the walls; do they have family pictures? Are there plants in the room? Sports memorabilia? Military awards? Another possibility, the room is empty or an almost sterile environment.
What Do the Clues Tell You?
The clues can lead to an easy path of conversation, however, we don’t really know how this is going to go. Perhaps, the sterile environment is a result of recently moving into a new home and not being able to decorate it--or is it their preference? The family picture on the wall may harbor thoughts of the son or daughter they lost--and maybe they do not want to talk about it. The sports memorabilia may be about their late spouses’ sports--did they golf together? So how do we ask these questions and not start out on a “bad foot”.
“Banking” in Someone’s Emotional Account
In order to get something from someone, in this case, a conversation, it’s much easier if you give something first. When it comes to human emotions one of the first things we can give someone is a bit of our information. If you walk into a person's home and there are plants everywhere and you love gardening you might be thinking I can give them a great idea for gardening. But they might not think of you as a master gardener quite yet, or perhaps they think they are the best master gardener in the room. Much better to downplay it and notice a plant and say something like, “I love orchids, yours are growing so beautifully”. You just identified the flower, so you know a little bit about the subject, and you honored them at the same time. If you know nothing about flowers you could say, “wow your flowers are beautiful, do you do all of this?” Again you are admiring their work and also showing your admiration. You could add, “I wish I didn’t have such a brown thumb” to show some vulnerability.
General Ideas
Sports--Who’s the golfer in the family? I see lots of Twins stuff--are you a big fan?
Plants--reveal something real about yourself and then ask the question. This is like banking.
Sterile--people that actually live and work in a sterile environment don’t like a great deal of personal interaction. They will be most comfortable with you if you also don’t ask for a lot of personal information. Instead, move more quickly to their needs and wants. You may also inquire how long they have lived in their home. If they are new, you could ask if they would like help putting things up on the walls? Play it slow.
Military--If there are medals you might ask these are interesting medals, what do they represent?
Pictures--are generally easy and can start with the “is this your family” type of questions. There can be a variety of follow-up questions here if this seems to be a good path to go down. Take it a little slow because there often is some pain with family situations. If you touch on a nerve, be kind and say something like, “oh I’m sorry”. They likely will wave it off and keep going with the new conversation.
Don’t Give Up
Getting a good conversation going isn’t generally a one-and-done event. Adding little statements like, “that sounds interesting” when they mention their daughter climbs mountains or something to keep the discussion going. If you have a good memory, you can build on these little blocks of knowledge, however, if you don’t then write down some information in a journal or somewhere only you have access to. This is personal information they trusted you with and you shouldn’t share it.
Whenever you take a risk in life you are going to have some unexpected, perhaps undesirable results. This is true in conversation starters just like anything else. In almost every case, if you’ve banked in their emotional account first, you can get by stumbling from time to time. Don’t abandon the cause if it happens, adapt and keep trying.
Interested in what it means to be a Comfort Keeper? Want to learn more about caregiving? Would you like to join us as we provide exceptional care to seniors in the comfort of their own homes? Speak with a member of our team today!
