A Chabior The carer–elderly relationship – an attempt to operationalize

Abstract

This paper is an empirical study and concerns care as relationship and, more broadly, the care model in work with the elderly. It explores relationality as a constitutive feature of care along with its determinants such as: self-awareness/autonomy; empathy/understanding; dignity/respect; kindness/benevolence/acceptance; self-control/dealing with stress; communication; responsibility/availability; openness; relationship limits; evaluation. The research was conducted using a tool developed by the authors, the Relationship Scale/Carer-Elderly Relationship Scale. The scale covers ten features/areas of care understood as a relationship, clarifies the conditions for an adequate carer-elderly relationship, and presents hypothetical real-life situations to improve the respondents' understanding of the issues.