Trouble-shooting
What if only one carer turns up for the program?
The program is designed to be a conducted with a group of carers. However, sometimes you may have only one carer attend. You may wish to offer them the opportunity to attend at another time with more carers, or alternatively, go ahead with the program by making it a one-on-one education session.
In this situation, we suggest the following changes to the Education Program:
- Aim to complete the session within about an hour.
- Offer the carer refreshments at the start or in the middle of the session, rather than have a formal break time.
What if someone becomes distressed during the program?
One of the key aims of the education program is to provide a safe place where carers can discuss their concerns. Distress can be a normal part of this experience. Some types of distress are okay and don’t need to be managed. For example, a carer who has just received some bad news about their friend or relative may become easily distressed. The session may provide this carer with a space to be distressed in a safe and non-judgemental place. However, you may need to intervene if the carer’s distress doesn’t dissipate.
It is important not to ignore a distress in the room. If you are concerned about a participant, the chances are others are too and, as the facilitator, they will be looking to you for guidance.
Possible strategies include asking the distressed carer if they would like to take a break for a while. If they choose to leave the room, have your co-facilitator go with them so that they are not alone, with the option of return to the program if they feel up to it. Alternatively, taking a time out and having a cup of tea might also be appropriate, particularly if you are facilitating the education session on your own.
Remember, just because someone is crying doesn’t mean they want or need to leave the room.
The following video is an example of someone becoming distressed during the program.
What if someone is dominating the conversation?
You may have someone who dominates the group, and not simply by constant talking. People can also dominate by:
- Having the worst problem and therefore needing the most attention
- Being the nicest or the kindest person
- Always knowing what is best.
Some people may dominate or monopolise the conversation because they are anxious when silent, so they use techniques to reinsert themselves into the conversation.
There are a number of ways you can respond to someone who is dominating the conversation. The approach you take will depend on your skills and style as a facilitator.
These strategies may help you to manage someone who is dominating the group:
- Establish the ground rules early and address the need for carers to allow everyone to share their experience
- Limit eye contact, as eye contact can encourage people who monopolise the group
- Avoid responding to a person’s comments if they have carried on for too long or have been unhelpful
- Don’t be afraid to break in and ask for a response from other participants.
What if someone is very quiet?
Not all participants need to express themselves at the same level to get benefit from the Education Program. Some people are simply not comfortable talking in a group but gain much from listening. However, the more a carer participates in the program, the more likely they are to benefit.
Carers should be encouraged to contribute as much or as little as they feel comfortable, but if a carer appears uncomfortable it is worth ‘checking in’ with them during the break to see if they feel okay. Remember, if you’re concerned about a participant, the chances are at least one other carer is too.
