Getting used to care, a care in its own right: an advice sheet to provide it better

Handiconnect, disability information site for healthcare professionalsCoactis-health association, offers a “tip sheet” explaining how to prepare a personalized treatment habituation programme, adapted to each person’s abilities and limitations.

Remember that getting used to care is a care in its own right. It is a time completely distinct from the care which consists in proposing to the person, in a progressive and regular way, the learning of the sequences of a care, according to his capacities/limitations. Without pain, without restraint, respecting his privacy. The objective is to be able to carry out care without opposition from the person to avoid disruptions in the course of care; it is therefore a public health issue.

Children and adults can benefit from getting used to care when they cannot face a new and/or anxiety-provoking situation on their own, when they have communication or understanding difficulties, or when they have sensory particularities that hinder physical, visual, auditory contact, etc. People living with a Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)and Intellectual Developmental Disorder (IDD)and Multiple disabilityand Psychic disability. In children, sequence learning is started as early as possible, in preparation for planned and unplanned care.

The duration of a care habituation program cannot be predicted: the more negative the previous experience of care, the longer the habituation will take.

The sequencing program is established by a carer who masters the care to come, helped by a person who knows the patient: their skills and limitations, their modes and tools of communication, their centers of interest, their sensory profile, their modes of reaction to stress and pain, the experience of care during previous examinations. The learning of the sequences is ideally carried out by a pair: a carer or an educator, and a caregiver/professional companion who knows the person well. All the care provided is concerned, and in particular the clinical examinations, the taking of the usual constants, the examinations with cutaneous breakage, the radiological examinations, the dental care, the gynecological examination, the use of the anesthesia mask including the mask of MEOPA… and all unforeseen care with a high probability of being carried out (dental care, blood test, MRI, EEG, etc.)

It is important to prepare the sequencing program well and to define its objective: to enter an examination room, to bear being touched, to undress, to open your mouth… It is also a question of arranging the best the environment – dedicated room, place of life, at home or place of care – according to the sensory profile of the person, their preferences and their understanding? (noise, light, caregiver’s position, etc.) and to consider how to ensure the person’s safety.

The key to the success of such a program is to have confidence in everyone’s creativity and ability to adapt. The main thing is to dare and that everyone keeps a positive memory of this experience.