Readiness Ruler

Paragraphs
Description

"On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being very ready, how ready are you to (insert desired behavior change here)?”

Slider Steps
Level
1
Title
Precontemplation
Info

STAGE: This person is likely in precontemplation, they are not currently interested in this change.

GETTING TO THE NEXT STEP: The caregiver needs to increase interest in change and concern about their behavior.

 

 WARNING:  Don’t push behavior changes or referrals if they are not ready to change
TIPS:  
  • Listen for any desire, ability, reason, or need to change(change talk)
  • Use reflections that highlight change talk if possible
  • Make sure they know it is their choice
  • Say: “What might make you a 4 or 5?”
  • Close the discussion with: “So it seems like you’re not ready to(insert behavior change here). I understand this isn’t something you want to address today. Is it OK if I continue to check in on this at future visits?” 

 

 

Level
2
Title
Precontemplation
Info

STAGE: This person is likely in precontemplation, they are not currently interested in this change.

GETTING TO THE NEXT STEP: The caregiver needs to increase interest in change and concern about their behavior.

WARNING:  Don’t push behavior changes or referrals if they are not ready to change
TIPS: 
  • Listen for any desire, ability, reason, or need to change(change talk)
  • Use reflections that highlight change talk if possible
  • Make sure they know it is their choice
  • Say: “What might make you a 4 or 5?”
  • Close the discussion with: “So it seems like you’re not ready to(insert behavior change here). I understand this isn’t something you want to address today. Is it OK if I continue to check in on this at future visits?” 

 

Level
3
Title
Beginning Contemplation
Info

STAGE: Beginning Contemplation-- the caregiver is interested in change, considering change, but still ambivalent about changing.

GETTING TO THE NEXT STEP: The caregiver needs to move toward decision making; they need to find solid reasons and values to support their behavior change

WARNING: 
  • Don’t focus too much on the cons of change.
  • Don’t get stuck in their ambivalence
TIPS: 
  • Reflect change talk
  • Use Elicit Provide Elicit when sharing information
  • Provide summaries that stress reasons for change
  • Say: “What might make you a 6 or 7?” or “Good. Why that number and not a lower number?”
  • Say: “What are some important reasons to do this?

 

 

Level
4
Title
Beginning Contemplation
Info

STAGE: Beginning Contemplation-- the caregiver is interested in change, considering change, but still ambivalent about changing.

GETTING TO THE NEXT STEP: The caregiver needs to move toward decision making; they need to find solid reasons and values to support their behavior change

WARNINGS: 
  • Don’t focus too much on the cons of change.
  • Don’t get stuck in their ambivalence.
TIPS: 
  • Reflect change talk
  • Use Elicit Provide Elicit when sharing information
  • Provide summaries that stress reasons for change
  • Say: “What might make you a 6 or 7?” or “Good. Why that number and not a lower number?”
  • Say: “What are some important reasons to do this?

 

 

Level
5
Title
Contemplation moving to Preparation
Info

STAGE: Contemplation moving to Preparation – the caregiver is close to making a firm decision.

GETTING TO THE NEXT STEP:To advance to higher readiness the caregiver needs to build commitment for their decision to change and begin to plan for change

 

WARNIINGS: 
  • Don’t just hand them your plan.
  • Don’t rush them into a plan that is problematic.
 TIPS: 
  • Reflect CAT language (commitment, activity, taking steps)
  • Discuss their plan for change and collaborate with them on making the plan
  • Set specific time frames for making changes with them (e.g. setting a quit date)
  • Offer information using Elicit Provide Elicit

 

 

Level
6
Title
Contemplation moving to Preparation
Info

STAGE: Contemplation moving to Preparation – the caregiver is close to making a firm decision.

GETTING TO THE NEXT STEP:To advance to higher readiness the caregiver needs to build commitment for their decision to change and begin to plan for change

WARNINGS: 
  • Don’t just hand them your plan.
  • Don’t rush them into a plan that is problematic.
 TIPS: 
  • Reflect CAT language (commitment, activity, taking steps)
  • Discuss their plan for change and collaborate with them on making the plan
  • Set specific time frames for making changes with them (e.g. setting a quit date)
  • Offer information using Elicit Provide Elicit

 

 

Level
7
Title
Preparation moving to Action
Info

STAGE: Preparation moving to action –the caregiver is getting ready to make changes or has already begun to make changes.

GETTING TO THE NEXT STEP: The caregiver needs to continue to build commitment and create an acceptable, effective and realistic plan.

WARNINGS: 
  • Don’t forget affirmations and supporting self-efficacy.
  • Don’t forget to problem solve barriers.
 TIPS: 
  • Help them specify elements of plan
  • Ask open ended questions about details and timeline (e.g. How do you plan to make this change?)
  • Use summaries to pull plan together and check if accurate
  • Help manage any continued ambivalence

 

 

Level
8
Title
Preparation moving to Action
Info

STAGE: Preparation moving to action –the caregiver is getting ready to make changes or has already begun to make changes.

GETTING TO THE NEXT STEP: The caregiver needs to continue to build commitment and create an acceptable, effective and realistic plan.

WARNINGS: 
  • Don’t forget affirmations and supporting self-efficacy.
  • Don’t forget to problem solve barriers
 TIPS: 
  • Help them specify elements of plan
  • Ask open ended questions about details and timeline (e.g. How do you plan to make this change?)
  • Use summaries to pull plan together and check if accurate
  • Help manage any continued ambivalence

 

 

 

Level
9
Title
Action
Info

STAGE: Action– the caregiver is likely beginning to implement a plan.

GETTING TO THE NEXT STEP: They need support for their planning and implementation of the plan.

WARNINGS:  
  • Don’t set your expectations too high.
  • Don’t forget to let them know you support them no matter how successful they are.

TIPS: 

 

  • Ask open ended questions to find out how you can best help them
  • Problem solve any difficulties or slips
  • Use affirmations to acknowledge any steps they have made (e.g. “It’s great that you have been able to cut back the amount of juice you are feeding the baby.)
  • Say: “What might get in the way of your success?”
  • Say: “How can you get support from family and friends?

 

Level
10
Title
Action
Info

STAGE: Action– the caregiver is likely beginning to implement a plan.

GETTING TO THE NEXT STEP: They need support for their planning and implementation of the plan.

WARNINGS:  
  • Don’t set your expectations too high.
  • Don’t forget to let them know you support them no matter how successful they are.

TIPS: 

  • Ask open ended questions to find out how you can best help them
  • Problem solve any difficulties or slips
  • Use affirmations to acknowledge any steps they have made (e.g. “It’s great that you have been able to cut back the amount of juice you are feeding the baby.)
  • Say: “What might get in the way of your success?”
  • Say: “How can you get support from family and friends?