Top 5 Traits for Best In-Home Caregivers
Hiring a caregiver can be one of the toughest decisions any of us have to make. They will be supporting the people that are the most precious to us so they absolutely have to be the right fit. Balancing quality care with compassion and patience is highly important. If your senior, elder or disabled loved one acts stubborn or uncooperative you need a caregiver who will react the right way. So, what type of qualities should an in-home caregiver demonstrate? Here are some of the top traits that the best in-home caregivers possess.
1. Judgement Skills.
Caregivers have to know when a patient is pushing it too hard or, on the opposite, when they are not pushing hard enough to be a part of their own care. Is the patient really too tired to take a bath today or are they just refusing to participate out of protest? This takes careful observation and, sometimes, very good intuition. Knowing the difference between when a patient is just not feeling well that day and when something is really off kilter from their usual level of effort could help to save a life. And knowing when to share that information with family members or other stakeholders is absolutely critical.
2. Problem Solving.
The best caregivers know when something needs to be done … and they do it! Caregivers are often balancing support for many people; their patients, themselves and their own families. This kind of stress can make it easy to slack off when an issue doesn’t affect them directly, however the good caregivers know that they can’t become weary and have to address things as they arise when it comes to their patients. It’s not enough to know that something needs to be done – so they demonstrate initiative to take action! They will have tenacity and resilience to solve problems as necessary to help their patients.
3. Enthusiasm.
It’s true of any profession – you have to love what you do – but it’s especially applicable to caregivers. Great caregivers uplift their patients and are usually the best part of their day. Elders and disabled face unique challenges ranging from the isolation that can be felt from losing personal freedom to the strife associated with pain management and depression related to financial matters. Outstanding caregivers bring light into these dark situations by reminding their patients that they are still part of a wonderful world and making them feel like important parts of it. They’re able to do this because they genuinely love their work.
4. Big Picture Thinking.
When you’re taking care of a patient you become a part of their personal ecosystem. When things don’t add up, caregivers have to take a holistic view of that world to look past the obvious and determine what’s going on behind the scenes. There are many factors that have to be considered when it comes to elder care and caring for the disabled. Interactions associated with medicines, dietary restrictions, emotional and cognitive capabilities that may be diminishing and the possibilities of undiagnosed issues that may be having a silent impact all have to be thought about. Exceptional caregivers are able to view their patient’s ecosystem from a holistic viewpoint to form a better understanding of their needs.
5. Great Communication.
Caregiving relies on excellent communication because of the importance of connecting with patients and their families. Given that some patients may not be able to communicate verbally, this makes listening and non-verbal communication just as important for caregivers. Being able to convey important information in a way that’s clear, concise, and creates an atmosphere of trust for everyone involved is an absolute necessity. Caregivers must also be able to communicate effectively with their employers and other key stakeholders such as medical professionals or social workers. Misunderstandings, overlooked issues, and even serious health and safety issues can be avoided with clear communication from the caregiver community.
Caregivers who demonstrate these five traits are the best candidates to support elder care patients and disabled patients. This combination of judgment skills, problem solving, enthusiasm, big picture thinking and great communication makes for a dedicated and professional caregiver who is truly vested in the success of their patient’s care. Look for these traits when hiring an in-home caregiver or let your home care agency know that these are the things you want in the caregivers they assign to your loved one.
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