What Skills Matter Most for Personal Care in Fresno, CA?

Does your loved one need personal care? Finding the right caregiver for your loved one can be difficult, especially considering the specialized skills that personal care requires. This sector of care covers a variety of different tasks including housekeeping, laundry assistance, and meal preparation. It can also include dressing, bathing, and toileting. If you’re in the middle of a search for the right caregiver, below you can find the key skills that you should look for.

Physical Assistance

The main factor that distinguishes personal care from other forms of care is the need for physical assistance. Toileting, dressing and grooming, and mobility assistance are just a few of the tasks that could require physical assistance from a caregiver. Caregivers need to be able to assure their clients of their safety and comfort. This component alone requires an immense amount of skill. Be sure to find a caregiver that always makes your loved one feel safe and comfortable.

Knowledge and Awareness

Caregivers need to be knowledgeable to fully take care of their client’s needs. A sizable portion of that knowledge is rooted in an awareness of their client. Throughout care, a caregiver should be aware of the client’s many changes including in cognition, coordination, strength, and behavior. Many of these changes can seem subtle and can go unnoticed without the watchful eye of a caregiver. A caregiver can then alert these changes to the family and their client’s physician. A knowledgeable, experienced caregiver also knows how to handle the unexpected, and can act quickly within the best of their ability.

Cleanliness and Hygiene

It’s immensely important that you choose a caregiver that understands the importance of proper hygiene. Individuals who receive personal care are at a higher risk for bacterial or viral infections. Once an infection occurs, that individual is at a higher risk for hospitalization.

To prevent infection, caregivers should maintain high levels of cleanliness. This includes factors such as hand-washing and sanitizing. Also, if a caregiver becomes sick, they should keep themselves away from their client.

Communication and Compassion

Exhibiting quality care requires many interpersonal skills. Adults are often uncomfortable dressing, bathing, or showering in front of another person. To make a client feel at ease during these tasks is a must.

Caregivers should also exhibit excellent communicative skills. They should include their client’s entire circle of support including the client’s family, their healthcare provider, and with the client themselves. Once problems go unreported and care tasks aren’t accomplished, trust can begin to disintegrate between all parties.

A caregiver should always make sure that their clients always feel heard and respected. With effective communication skills, everyone can play a solid role in the betterment and success of the client.

Want to find a personal care caregiver in your area? Call Visiting Angels of Fresno, CA to learn more about our personal care and how we can help your loved one feel safe and comfortable in their own home.