Qualities of a Successful Caregiver
It takes a specific type of person to work as a caregiver. It is not enough to perform needed tasks. To have a successful career as a caregiver, you should approach situations with compassion and patience, remain present with your clients, stay adaptable when things get challenging, and remain a source of dependence in your client's life.
Compassion
Compassion is one of the main qualities that makes a successful caregiver. Compassion is about making other people feel safe and comfortable, which is especially important for working with clients at their homes. Showing your clients compassion also makes it easier to build connections and relationships with them. Whenever you enter a home as a caregiver, always approach every situation with compassion and empathy, and you'll be sure to have a rewarding experience.
Patience
The way a person lives can start to slow down with age. The body and mind change and may take longer to do certain activities. As a caregiver, it's vital to practice patience with your clients. If a client needs extra time getting ready before heading to a doctor's appointment or is taking time to process information and respond to you, stay relaxed and give them the time they need. Even on the most challenging days, remain patient and work with your client to overcome challenges.
Present
Many senior clients look forward to visits from their caregivers because it's one of the few times in their day when they can interact with someone. Caregivers should always remain present when with their clients to provide sufficient companionship. Being present means minimizing distractions that can take you from your client's care, such as phones and tablets. It also means living in the moment with your client and noticing details about them that you can use to provide better care.
Adaptable
While clients have care plans and expectations for how their time with a caregiver should go, it's inevitable for things not to always go according to plan. Try to remember it's okay if things don't go according to plan, as long as you do what you can to care for your client. Remaining adaptable when you need to make quick decisions or change plans to account for unforeseen circumstances provides flexibility to work with changes. The ability to remain adaptable can also lower stress levels for you and your client when facing challenges.
Dependability
Clients rely on their caregivers to manage daily activities. Some clients may need help with simple tasks, such as housekeeping or laundry, while others might need assistance with more significant activities, such as showering, grooming, and dressing. Regardless of what your client needs help with, it's essential to be dependable. Clients should feel confident that you will arrive on time, perform your tasks, and provide the best quality care.
The Visiting Angels office in Ravenna is hiring individuals committed to providing quality services to clients in our communities. We're seeking part-time and full-time caregivers who will receive competitive pay, paid training, ongoing professional development, flexible scheduling, and one-on-one client interaction. If you think you'd be an excellent match for our team, complete an online application or call us at 330.297.2000.