8 Qualities a Caregiver Must Have
Becoming a caregiver is arguably one of the most selfless things you can do in life.
When you tend to someone’s physical and emotional needs without expecting anything in return, you’ve achieved the highest level of altruism. This is especially true if the patient is a stranger.
But as someone in need of a caregiver, you might be oblivious to this.
As a result, you’ll feel skeptical – and that’s completely fine.
You want nothing but the best for your loved one, which is why you have every right to ensure the caregiver you hire checks all the right boxes.
Luckily, we can help you with that.
Having served the industry for quite some time, we recognize the traits a caregiver must possess that make them the one. In fact, we screen applicants keeping these qualities as the touchstone.
Let’s see what they are:
- 1. Caregivers Should Be Patient
Typically, people hire caregivers for their aging loved ones.
And it’s universally accepted that senior citizens can experience severe mood swings, going from calm to angry within minutes.
This shouldn’t bother a caregiver; instead, they should be patient enough to put up with older adults’ tantrums.
Exhibiting patience becomes even more important when dealing with those who have dementia. The caregivers will need to act as an invisible force, guiding the patient as they go on about their daily life.
- 2. Caregivers Should Be Compassionate
Did you know the word ‘compassion’ has roots in Latin?
It comes from passio and com, meaning ‘to suffer’ and ‘with,’ respectively.
Combining the terms gives you ‘to suffer with.’
That’s precisely what being a caregiver is about: they’re not just there for the patient; they’re with them through thick and thin.
And what better way to demonstrate this than being compassionate?
It helps create an environment where the senior citizen feels comfortable, relaxed, and, most importantly, wanted.
- 3. Caregivers Should Be Dependable
During the initial days, the patient for whom the caregiver is hired will feel hostile. They might even show resentment by acting unusually.
However, it’s the caregiver’s duty to prove themselves trustworthy and reliable.
And not just for the first few days but throughout the duration for which their services are hired.
Apart from helping establish trust with the patient, being dependable convinces the employer that they made the right decision by hiring the caregiver.
- 4. Caregivers Should Be Passionate
If caregivers consider taking care of someone a job, that’s all it’ll ever be for them. With each passing day, they’ll find less joy in it, wishing to escape the rut – a psychological phenomenon known as ‘caregiver burnout.’
(If you’d like to read more about caregiver burnout, read our blog: What Is Caregiver Burnout & How Can You Prevent It?)
On the other hand, if the caregivers are passionate about making a difference in people’s lives, there will never come a moment when they wish to be discharged from their responsibilities.
For that reason, the caregiver must never lose the spark that made them choose this profession in the first place.
- 5. Caregivers Should Be Personable
In this context, personable means understanding the senior citizen’s specific requirements.
Since they have varying needs, how they’re treated should also be unique.
For instance, some older adults prefer spending most of their time at home, while others are fond of taking a stroll in a park or garden.
The caregiver must know how to cater to both.
And this goes beyond the patients’ temperaments; their health conditions also vary, which the caregiver ought to understand.
- 6. Caregivers Should Be Humorous
We can’t emphasize this enough – there’s more to caregiving than bathing or dressing. The caregiver assumes the role of a companion to take care of the patient’s overall well-being.
And that includes knowing when and how to lighten up the mood. This creates a special bond between the caregiver and the senior citizen – one that’s characterized by respect, compassion, and fun.
Furthermore, having a good sense of humor proves that the caregiver is capable of handling tense situations.
- 7. Caregivers Should Be Confidential
The caregiver stays with the patient 24/7.
Since they’re so involved in the senior citizens’ lives, they become aware of even the smallest of details.
What the caregiver does with that information says a lot about them.
A good and trustworthy caregiver will never disclose things the older adult wouldn’t want them to, as long as it doesn’t put their health at risk.
Remember, the objective is to cultivate a healthy relationship. And sharing private information does the exact opposite.
- 8. Caregivers Should Be Optimistic
Being a caregiver is a rewarding job, but it isn’t without a few challenges.
One of the biggest obstacles is having a positive outlook on life.
If the caregiver isn’t optimistic, it’ll translate to their actions, which, in turn, will affect the patient.
For that reason, the caregiver must hope for things to get better and assure the senior citizen of the same.
Smiling in the face of adversity is difficult, but those who do it, nothing can dim their light.
We Rise by Lifting Others
To sum it all up, a caregiver should be:
- Patient
- Compassionate
- Dependable
- Passionate
- Personable
- Humorous
- Confidential
- Optimistic
If you’re wondering whether it’s possible for a single caregiver to possess all these qualities, you haven’t met Top Faith’s caregivers. They’ll go above and beyond to ensure your loved one lives a happy, freeing, and fulfilling life.
So, connect with us today and let our caregivers lighten your load.