Qualities of a Successful Caregiver

Working as a professional caregiver is an exceptional career choice, and it takes an individual with the right qualities to provide clients with the best care. When we’re seeking to hire new care specialists at Visiting Angels, we look for people who have a balance of dependency, compassion, empathy, and positivity. We also want someone with impeccable communication skills and self-motivation. 

Dependency

One of the most commonly used adjectives clients use to describe caregivers is dependable. As a caregiver, clients rely on you to show up and assist them consistently. Many clients receive personal care services and rely on their caregivers to help them dress, bathe, and toilet. It may not feel like helping clean someone’s house or preparing meals plays a significant role in a senior’s life, but those small tasks can make a difference in a client’s day and overall wellbeing. 

Compassion

Compassion means showing kindness and being sympathetic toward another person. In caregiving, you will encounter clients who have chronic health concerns, distant families, or disabilities that make it challenging for them to live their lives fully. Showing compassion to your client can promote a more meaningful connection and improve their mental and emotional wellbeing. Compassion can also facilitate problem-solving by showing your client you’re not going to turn away from them during hard times. 

Empathetic 

In addition to compassion and kindness, caregivers need to show empathy to their clients. Empathy is trying to relate to another person’s situation or emotions. By connecting to your client, you understand why they’re feeling or acting a certain way. And why you can better understand their actions and feelings, you can begin to build a trusting relationship with your client. 

Communication 

Communication plays a significant role in caregiving. You need to have good communication skills with your clients to ensure they receive the highest quality of care and are comfortable speaking with you if they need something. You also need to know how to communicate with family members who may request updates effectively or need a better understanding of how their loved one’s care plan fits their overall health goals. Finally, it’s also essential to maintain strong communication with the office staff and other employees of Visiting Angels, so everyone involved with your clients’ care is on the same page.

Positivity 

Growing older comes with many challenges, and as a caregiver, part of your responsibility is to help seniors maintain their mental wellness by remaining a positive influence in their life. If they’re having a hard day or feeling frustrated, it’s essential to stay calm and positive, even under stress. Positivity also includes encouragement and helping your client stick to goals and forming healthy habits. If your client has diabetes and needs to change their diet, help them find ways to make healthy eating exciting. If they express interest in learning something, help them find an online course or take them to the library to check out books on a new subject. 

Self-Motivated 

If you’re a self-motivated caregiver, you don’t need someone managing you throughout the day. When you’re working with a client, you’ll likely be the only person interacting with them at that moment. You won’t have a boss telling you what needs to be done or how you should do something. It is up to you to provide the necessary care for your client to the best of your abilities. Self-motivated individuals also know when to go above and beyond what clients ask and don’t stick to the minimum care requirements. 

Starting Your Career with Visiting Angels

Visiting Angels Farmington is now seeking part-time and full-time professional caregivers to join our team. Our locally owned and operated home care agency is dedicated to the seniors in our community and the caregivers we employ. We offer our care specialists competitive pay, flexible hours, paid training, paid time off, reimbursable mileage, and one-on-one client interaction. 

If you possess the qualities of a professional caregiver and are interested in starting a career with Visiting Angels, fill out an application online or call us at 505.516.1150.