Question: Reflective writing

The process of reflecting upon your practice allows you to develop self awareness or reflexivity regarding who you are in practice. Reflexivity in practice allows us to be whole, compassionate human beings, capable of "being with" our clients. Care givers who are self-aware and reflective are less likely to burn out or become ill from the daily stresses of their practice.

Step One: Using the Gibbs Reflective Cycle, write about a recent experience of care giving that you found upsetting or discouraging. Write your thoughts and feelings through each step of the cycle. (description of the event, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, and action plan). Consider how writing through these steps have caused you to view the incident.

Step Two: Now consider a good experience with a resident which at work which cause you to feel good about your practice and skills. Again, use the Gibbs Reflective Cycle as you move through this experience.

Step Three: Consider how these two experiences reflect your understanding of dementia care. What beliefs and values regarding caring for persons experiencing a dementia come out as you wrote about these two incidents? Consider how your cultural ideas about dementia may have been challenged or affirmed.

Submit your work in the Assessments section of Blackboard.