Many participants had decades of experience, while others were new to the field. Nevertheless, the flexible and interactive training provided useful information for everyone — helping them update or maintain their professional knowledge in line with the latest Western European trends. It also offered an excellent opportunity for colleagues from different departments to meet and exchange experience — something that everyday work often does not allow.
“It was good to refresh what we had already learned, and we also gained new insights. The practical parts were well structured, led by enthusiastic trainers whose presence elevated the whole atmosphere. It was also a bit of a team-building opportunity, bringing together colleagues from various departments,” said Éva Gyöngyi, social worker at the St. Elizabeth Home, one of the participants.
The emotions behind the reactions
The first day focused on caring for elderly people with cognitive decline and began with identifying concrete challenges experienced by the participants. “We were touched by the openness with which they spoke about their daily struggles. They are passionate and dedicated caregivers who love their work and feel called to it, but the job can be emotionally and physically demanding — and they had the courage to admit that, both to us and to one another. Dementia can manifest in many ways, one of which is aggressive behaviour, and such cases are especially difficult to handle,” said Liesbeth den Besten of Hoornbeeck College in Gouda.
The training included role-playing exercises aimed at practising both patient care and effective communication with department coordinators. “In any type of care, it is essential to observe and recognize the emotions behind patients’ reactions. Even in a busy schedule we must make time to talk to them and understand them as individuals. The time invested in this type of communication always pays off in the long run — it prevents the escalation of suppressed anger and leads to greater professional satisfaction. And, not least, one can draw great strength from offering their service to God and trusting in His wisdom in everyday work,” she added.
Only those who take care of themselves can take good care of patients
The second day focused on burnout: what it is, what causes it, and how someone can recognize its signs in themselves or their colleagues. Participants evaluated a list of burnout-related factors and gained a personalized picture of their own risk level. One situation exercise centered specifically on setting personal boundaries, and at the end the caregivers offered each other hugs.
“I worked with a wonderful team motivated by love for the people they care for. The participants showed mutual understanding and a willingness to think together to find solutions to the challenges they face,” said Inge van den Broek of Hoornbeeck College. She added that the most important message of her presentation is that one can care well for others only if they also take good care of themselves.
The third day was dedicated to field visits. The Dutch trainers visited both nursing homes operated by Caritas Catolica in Oradea, observed the work processes, and offered useful advice to the staff.
On the final day, participants expressed the need for more training sessions on topics such as self-knowledge and personal development, which would greatly help prevent burnout.
Caritas Catolica expresses its gratitude to the volunteer trainers from the Netherlands, to the Priscilla Foundation for making the training possible, and to Ágota Jári-Ady from Târgu Mureș for her excellent simultaneous interpretation, without which this event would not have been so impactful.
