What attributes should you look for when considering hiring a caregiver? Would you like to pursue a career of caregiving? What do patients, clients, and loved ones need from those who help care for them? Along with the important knowledge and skill set needed to be an effective caregiver, we will see that the most important characteristic is compassion.
Caregiving is a high and worthy calling. It is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling to put the needs of another individual before your own, even when it is difficult, tiresome, or uncomfortable. Here are a few attributes you’ll want to include in your caregiving career, or what to look out for when searching for a caregiver.
Willingness to learn. When someone is flexible, humble, and open to learning new things, this is a good sign they’ll succeed in caregiving. Every client is different, and even if you’ve been caregiving for 15 years, you’ll need to adopt a flexible outlook in order to meet each individual’s needs. Families and nursing homes all have their different ways of doing things, so be prepared to take in new processes and do your best to follow them. This doesn’t mean you can’t offer suggestions or solutions to problems, but try asking before you act. As much as is in your power, attempt to meet the client on the road they are on.
Knowledge and training. Caregiving is typically very physical. From cooking light meals to helping with hygiene, a caregiver is required to wear many hats and wear them with proficiency. It is important that you are confident in your skills to help another individual, and if you’re not, there are many classes available to teach what you don’t know. Be honest with your employer or the private client you may be working for, and don’t play up strengths that you don’t have.
Compassion. It’s been said that life is 90% attitude and 10% circumstance, and the same can be said for a more focused topic. If you have a willingness to work hard, to be helpful with a smile, and to truly ease the burden of your client, that will come across in your attitude and it will take you far. Try putting yourself in the shoes of the one you are caring for or imagine how you would want someone to care for your mother or father. Remember that you get to go home at the end of the day, but the individual you’re caring for is constantly in their state of need, whether mentally or physically. It’s also important to keep in mind that this individual has lived a long and full life, probably caring for many others throughout the course of their life.
We all need to be cared for at some point in our lives. In our society, it is easy to become self focused and forget about those in need. We will make a great impact on the lives of those around us by putting their needs before our own, and there is great satisfaction in serving another individual.
If you are a caregiver or have been one in the past, we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Love makes the world go ’round and you’re apart of that cycle.
If you are interested in a career, Golden Care wants you to be apart of our caring team.
These are not the statements of a medical professional. If you have questions or concerns regarding your health for the health of a loved one, always consult a doctor.
