2.4 Explain the importance of both practical support and emotional support during a time of change

This guide will help you answer 2.4 Explain the importance of both practical support and emotional support during a time of change.

Change can mean different things. It could involve a person moving into residential care, returning home from hospital, losing a loved one, or starting to receive a new type of support. Change can be a small adjustment or a big transformation. People may feel excited, anxious, sad, or confused during change.

In health and social care, workers must think about how people experience change. People often need both practical support and emotional support. Each type is important and works alongside the other.

Practical Support

Practical support is the help given to manage daily tasks and activities. It includes helping people cope with the things that need to be done during times of change. This type of support focuses on physical needs, organisation, information, and problem solving.

Examples of practical support include:

• Helping a person pack their belongings before moving into a care home
• Reminding or guiding someone about their new medication routine
• Organising transport for medical appointments
• Assisting with paperwork, such as changing a GP or updating benefit claims
• Giving advice on using new equipment like a wheelchair or hearing aid
• Explaining a new routine step by step

Practical support reduces confusion and helps people settle into new situations with less stress. It gives a sense of control. Without this support, people can feel lost or overwhelmed by the amount of tasks involved in any change.

The Importance of Practical Support

Practical support is important because:

• It helps people carry out necessary tasks that they might struggle to do alone.
• It builds confidence and independence as people adapt to change.
• It makes transitions smoother and less stressful.
• It helps people understand what is happening and what to expect.
• It ensures that needs are met promptly. For example, medication is taken on time, or meals are provided if someone cannot cook.
• It prevents risks to health and wellbeing. For example, if someone cannot manage their medication or personal care, this can lead to problems.

People facing change can worry about how they will manage everyday things. By offering practical help, you relieve some of this pressure. You support people to concentrate on adjusting emotionally as well.

Emotional Support

Emotional support means showing understanding, empathy, and kindness. It involves listening, offering comfort, and being there for someone during change. Emotional support helps people deal with feelings such as worry, sadness, anger, anxiety, or loss.

Examples of emotional support include:

• Listening without judging when someone shares their worries
• Encouraging a person to express their feelings, even if these are negative
• Reassuring someone that they are not alone
• Being patient and understanding if someone seems withdrawn or upset
• Helping the person recognise their strengths and achievements
• Offering praise when they cope well

Emotional support focuses on the person’s feelings and mental health. It is every bit as important as practical support.

The Importance of Emotional Support

Emotional support is important because:

• It helps people to feel valued and understood during difficult times.
• It promotes self-esteem and confidence when facing challenges.
• It reduces the risk of mental ill-health, such as depression or anxiety.
• It allows people to process feelings of loss, fear, or sadness in a safe and healthy way.
• It encourages people to reach out for further help if they need it.
• It helps people build trusting relationships with care workers.

Many people feel uncomfortable about change. It can bring up memories of past events, or lead to feelings of isolation or grief. Emotional support can make a big difference. When a person feels listened to and respected, they tend to cope better.

The Relationship Between Practical and Emotional Support

Practical and emotional support are linked. One without the other is not enough. If a worker only helps with tasks but ignores the person’s feelings, the person may still feel unsafe or unwell. If a worker only listens but does nothing practical, the person’s needs remain unmet.

For best results:

• Workers listen carefully to what a person wants and needs.
• Give the right information, but also time and space for feelings.
• Support both everyday activities and emotional wellbeing.
• Understand that what seems like a small change to one person can be huge for someone else.

For example, an older person moves from their home into supported living. Practical support helps with packing, moving furniture, and setting up the new room. But they may feel grief at leaving their home. Emotional support helps them express this loss and find reassurance.

Effects of Not Offering Both Types of Support

If someone does not receive practical support:

• Necessary tasks may not get done.
• Health and safety can be at risk.
• Stress levels increase.
• People can feel helpless or dependent.

If someone does not receive emotional support:

• They may feel isolated and lonely.
• They may develop anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues.
• They might be less willing to accept new support or trust care workers.
• The change could feel much more difficult.

Combined, both supports help a person move through change in a healthy, positive way. Each person has unique needs, so workers must pay attention to what matters most for that individual.

The Role of Communication

Open, honest, and clear communication is the foundation for both types of support. It helps the person understand what is happening. It helps them feel heard and included in decisions.

Good communication includes:

• Using plain language and avoiding jargon.
• Checking understanding, for example by asking, “Would you like me to go over that again?”
• Listening carefully and with patience.
• Respecting the person’s wishes wherever possible.

Explaining the process and answering questions can reduce worry. It helps make the change feel more manageable.

Involving the Person in Their Own Support

People should be actively involved in decisions about their support. This is known as person-centred practice. The person’s wishes, needs, and values are the primary focus.

Ways to do this include:

• Asking for the person’s views before making changes.
• Giving options and choices.
• Encouraging self-advocacy, where the person speaks up for what they want.
• Seeking the input of family or friends if the person agrees.

When people take an active role in their support, they often adjust faster and feel more respected.

Supporting Families and Friends

Change affects not just the individual, but their family and friends. They can feel stress, worry, sadness, or confusion. Supporting the whole support network helps provide stability and reassurance.

Practical support for families includes:

• Explaining new procedures or routines.
• Helping organise visits or communication with the individual.
• Sharing information (with consent) so that everyone understands what is happening.

Emotional support for families includes:

• Listening to their concerns.
• Offering reassurance about the care being given.
• Signposting them to support groups if needed.

Good support for families often leads to better outcomes for the person at the centre of care.

Recognising Barriers to Support

Sometimes, offering support is not straightforward. Barriers might include:

• Language differences
• Physical disabilities
• Sensory loss (hearing or sight)
• Mental health problems
• Lack of trust in the care system

It is important to look for these barriers and find ways to overcome them. Assistance may involve using interpreters, providing information in alternative formats, or spending extra time building trust.

Being Sensitive to Culture and Beliefs

Respecting a person’s culture, religion, or beliefs matters during change. Some people may need specific types of support, or have strong preferences about how change is managed.

Show respect by:

• Asking about their culture and beliefs.
• Adjusting support to fit their wishes as much as possible.
• Avoiding assumptions about what a person needs or feels.

This approach builds respect and reduces distress during change.

Real-Life Example: Moving into Residential Care

Mrs Green is an 85-year-old woman who has been living alone, but her health has worsened. She moves into residential care.

Practical support:

• Help with packing and moving belongings.
• Sorting out medications and new GP paperwork.
• Setting up her new room with her personal items.

Emotional support:

• Talking with Mrs Green about her feelings of sadness about leaving home.
• Encouraging her to share stories about her past.
• Introducing her to other residents gently, respecting her need for time.

By providing both types of support, workers help Mrs Green feel less lonely and more confident. The move becomes safer and less distressing for her.

Staff Self-Care

Supporting others can be demanding. Workers must look after their own wellbeing so they can offer the best care. Talking about feelings, using supervision, and supporting each other makes a difference.

Organisations often offer:

• Training in communication and emotional skills.
• Opportunities for supervision and debriefing.
• Support networks within the team.

Looking after yourself helps you stay resilient and able to support others through change.

Final Thoughts

Both practical and emotional support are needed during times of change. Practical support helps people manage daily tasks and feel safe. Emotional support helps people process feelings and feel valued. Together, they ease the transition and reduce stress.

Always treat each person as an individual, listen carefully, and communicate clearly. This supports both health and wellbeing during difficult or uncertain times, helping people adapt and move forward with dignity and strength.