Whether you are caring for an ageing friend or relative or simply considering pursuing a career in care work, there are certain qualities and characteristics that you can nurture that will allow you to become a better carer. While caring for someone in need is hugely rewarding, it can also be challenging at times which is why care work requires a special type of person.
The best carers have several qualities and personality traits that make them exceptional carers. Here, we’ll explore how to be a better carer including the qualities we look for in our own expert carers.
WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES OF A GOOD CARER?
At Prestige Nursing & Care, our competent and compassionate carers are at the heart of everything we do. We take the time to match you with a carer that understands not only your unique care needs but your values and lifestyle preferences as well.
This results in high-quality, personalised and expert home care that allows you to thrive independently in your own home while improving your health and overall well-being.
These are the qualities that we look for when hiring our own expert carers:
- Patience
When considering how to be a good carer, patience is always at the top of the list. The best carers provide support to their clients while still encouraging their independence. This means allowing the person to do as much for themselves as it is safe for them to do, even if it would be faster for the carer to complete the task for themselves.Carers are often required to work with ageing clients or people living with specialist conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Such clients may need a little extra time to answer questions or they may display challenging behaviours like frequently repeating themselves. Good carers know how to handle such situations in a calm manner without losing their patience or getting frustrated.
- Passion
The best carers enjoy helping others and view their role in the care community as a vocation or calling rather than simply a job. While qualifications and experience are certainly necessary for becoming a carer, it is this passion for care work that makes a real difference. Care work can at times be emotionally and physically challenging, so carers that see their role as “just a job” are likely to struggle.
- Reliable
Carers are responsible for supporting their clients with several important day-to-day tasks such as proper nutrition and hydration, personal care, and medication administration. Failure to address any of these needs can result in devastating consequences for clients and may result in a loss of trust in the client and carer relationship. Being reliable assures that all of a client’s needs are met in a healthy and dignified way.
- Observant
Being observant as a carer is not only a beneficial quality to have, it may even result in saving a client’s life. As we age, our physical and mental conditions can change rapidly. A good carer will notice right away if there is something amiss with their clients, allowing for prompt treatment or medical intervention. Being observant is also vital for ensuring that a client is eating, bathing and sleeping as they should.
- Cheerful attitude
While having a bubbly personality is not necessary for becoming a carer, a cheerful attitude can go a long way toward brightening a client’s day. Many ageing people or people with specialist conditions experience periods of low mood or loneliness, and the last thing they need in their homes is someone with a negative or gloomy disposition.
There may be times when a client is resistant to receiving the support they need and maintaining an uplifting or cheerful personality can encourage cooperation and help the client to feel safe and respected.
- Respectful
Respect is crucial in every client and carer relationship. The best carers will work with their clients to create a bespoke care plan that reflects not only their unique care needs but their wants and preferences as well. This does not mean that carers and their clients can not enjoy a friendly rapport, but mutual respect and mindful language should always be at the heart of the relationship.
As people age, it is normal for their independence to be limited and their physical or mental capacities to reduce. A good carer is never patronising towards their clients but rather encourages their independence and communicates with them in a respectful and dignified manner.
- Good Communication Skills
A carer will be required to engage with people from all walks of life, many of whom may have impairments in their ability to communicate. A good carer is able to communicate with people from varied backgrounds and with diverse health conditions while putting them at ease. They know how to listen to their clients and communicate in a manner that allows their clients to feel respected and heard.
They also know how to effectively communicate with their colleagues and other medical professionals to ensure that a high standard of care is always maintained.
- Qualified
While personality traits like patience and compassion always trump qualifications, they are still important and reflect a carer’s commitment to their work. While there are a variety of different courses and qualifications that a carer may obtain, it is important to note that there is no real standard in the care world.
With Prestige Nursing & Care, you can rest assured that all of our carers are expertly trained and qualified to provide the highest quality of care. All carers that join us complete our induction training programme, which goes above mandatory requirements. If you require care for a specialist condition or disability, your carer will have all the training and qualifications they need to provide expert care.
- Experienced
While qualities such as compassion and patience are important, so is on-the-job experience. If you are hiring a carer for yourself or a family member, be sure to check their work history and possibly contact their references to ensure they have the necessary experience. This is especially important if they will be required to look after someone with a specialist condition like Parkinson’s or Multiple Sclerosis.
- Location
While location itself is not a quality, the location of your carer is still an important factor to take into consideration. If your carer is located too far from your home, you may run into problems with last-minute emergencies or pop-ins. With live-in care, location becomes less of a factor.
At Prestige Nursing & Care, we provide care and support in over 30 locations in the heart of communities across England and Scotland. Unlike a home care agency, we provide a fully regulated home care service, which means our clients and their families can be assured that the care and support we provide are of the very highest quality.
Do not hesitate to call today and discuss your care needs with our friendly advisors – they are there to provide impartial advice and guidance to families.
Get in touch with our friendly care experts about social care funding or contact a location near you. We provide impartial guidance and advice, so you make the right choice for you and your family
