What personal quality helps a PSW to effectively support family and friends of clients?

Empathy is a crucial personal quality that enables a Personal Support Worker (PSW) to effectively support not only clients but also their family and friends. It involves the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, which is particularly important in a caregiving setting. When a PSW demonstrates empathy, they can recognize the emotional and psychological challenges that families may face when caring for a loved one. This understanding fosters trust and strengthens the relationship between the PSW, the client, and their family.

Empathy allows the PSW to provide compassionate support, actively listen to the concerns of family members, and validate their feelings. It creates a supportive environment where families feel comfortable expressing their worries and needs, which can lead to better overall care for the client. This quality helps the PSW to navigate sensitive situations with kindness and understanding, addressing not just the physical needs of the client but also the emotional needs of those around them.

The other options—indifference, authoritativeness, and apathy—do not support effective caregiving. Indifference and apathy suggest a lack of concern or emotional investment, which can alienate family members and create barriers to effective communication. Authoritativeness might come across as domineering, which is not conducive to a supportive