Hospital in Manresa uses acting to address common caregiver mistakes

In Manresa, a city about 37 miles northwest of Barcelona, the Sant Andreu Hospital is tackling an often downplayed issue in elderly care – the unintentional disrespect in daily interactions between caregivers and patients. 

Despite caregivers' best intentions, subtle behaviors can inadvertently diminish the quality of care and patients' sense of worth.

To address these concerns, the hospital, in collaboration with the Manresa City Council, has launched a training program that utilizes dramatized scenarios to demonstrate improper behavior for a given patient.

Examples of such behaviors are using mobile phones in front of patients, which can sometimes make them feel ignored, or using childish language when addressing the elderly, which can be patronizing, according to Reyes Fortó, a geriatric specialist and manager of Sant Andreu residence. 

Another common mistake seen is treating elders as grandparents when in fact, not everyone is, which unintentionally generalizes an entire group and ignores their individual identities, according to Esther Crusellas, the hospital's human resources director.

“They are subtle aspects and small details that are repeated without being aware of them,” she said.

Crusellas believes that seeing these scenarios acted out can help staff become more aware of their actions and their impact.

"These are details that, if you see them represented and dramatized, you might become sensitized to them," she added.

The Manresa City Council sees this initiative as a success, with over 60 participants from various backgrounds.

Lluís Real, the Councilor for Employment, notes that such programs are crucial for a sector that will only grow more important as the population ages.

According to the Statistical Institute of Catalonia, nearly 18% of Catalonia’s population is over 65, so the demand for caregivers is increasing. 

While the training addresses immediate care concerns, it also shines a light on broader issues in the sector.

Fortó advocates for better recognition of care workers. "We are the last rung of a whole ladder and it would be good if we were valued more; we do a very important job, they don't realize. Without us it wouldn't work,” she said.