Qualities of a Caregiver
Written by:
Jeffrey Grossman
Published:
January 6, 2020
Searching for in home care to help a loved one is an important task and should be carefully considered. Learn about the essential qualities of a professional caregiver.
For some, caregiving is a choice, for others, caregiving is an unexpected family responsibility. At Commonwise Home Care, we believe caregiving is more than a job—it’s a calling. We have listed four qualities of a professional caregiver that you need to look for in the person potentially caring for your loved one.Let’s discover what some of these qualities of a carer are to inform your search for in home care.
Qualities of a Professional Caregiver
In a previous blog, we discuss the legal caregiver qualifications for those who want to become a respite care provider. Once qualified, what skills are needed to be a good caregiver? At Commonwise, some of our Care Team joined as certified nurse aides, while others originally had no prior training or caregiver experience.Quality home care is not only about supporting the physical needs of an older adult but caring for their emotional health as well. Good caregiver traits are not just boxes to check off or hard skills. The home care industry requires deep, indwelt character and dedication to caring for others.
Traits of a Caregiver at Commonwise
When someone displays ideal caregiver characteristics, we further invest time and technical training into them becoming an excellent care provider at Commonwise. We train our caregivers to meet the specific needs of every client.Some skills you can’t train but are intrinsically necessary for those working in the home care industry. Take a minute to review the four traits we look for in all of our caregivers:
1. Compassionate
True compassion cannot be trained. As Brené Brown points out, the word “compassion” comes from the Latin words pati and cum, which means “to suffer with.” Compassion is a form of empathy. Compassionate people sit with others in their pain and emotional lows and experience it with them.Care providers who are compassionate treat older adults the way they would want to be treated if their own health was declining. Not only do compassionate caregivers empathize with older adults, but they strive to care completely and wholeheartedly. Compassion is a mark of maturity, genuine care, and creates a sense of connection with the other person.
2. Personable
Caregiving is personal. Every person is unique and should be treated as such. Older adults who need in home care want to be seen as a person, not a job. The beauty and blessing of caregiving is the companionship it creates between the carer and patient.Good caregivers are in tune with the personal needs of the older adult they are caring for. Whether the need is physical, mental, or emotional, personal caregivers prioritize the person in their care over the duty or task at hand. Personalized care is the standard at Commonwise, not an added commodity.
3. Excellent Communicator
“Excellent communication skills” is something almost every employer puts on a job description, but for caregivers—communication is crucial. Those who provide home care not only have to communicate well with older adults but also with their families. Communication is the foundation of any healthy relationship, especially when the majority of time is spent together, such as in a total patient care model. A compassionate, communicative caregiver asks good questions and makes a patient feel comfortable to freely share how they are really feeling. As a family member in search of at home care: if a caregiver cannot effectively communicate with you, they are not a good fit for your loved one.
4. Patient
As they say, “patience is a virtue.” Patience is more than important, it’s a requirement for caregiving. Some days plans change or emotions are on a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. Older adults with mental illnesses, such as depression and Alzheimer’s, need special attention and plenty of patience.Caregivers must be patient (and creative) in their approach to caring for older adults. A good example of patient caregivers in action can be seen in our Medication Management vs Medication Reminders blog. Five of our caregivers give tips on how they encourage older adults to take their pills even when they don’t want to or think they already did.The qualities of a caregiver don’t stop here; there are countless traits that play into someone being an excellent caregiver. You want someone who will be as attentive to detail as you are. We understand; we strive to provide your loved one with the best possible care, by people who care.
Find Compassionate Caregivers at Commonwise Home Care
Are you looking for home care? Have you found anyone that fits these traits of a caregiver? We hope you found value in the four exceptional qualities of a professional caregiver that we look for in those looking to join our Care Team at Commonwise. Home care is not a vocation for just anyone; we handpick the people we believe are made for it. Caregivers must demonstrate exceptional grace, wisdom, and compassion to fit the ethos of Commonwise. Discover how Commonwise caregivers care for your loved ones differently by calling 434.202.8565.