When you trust your loved one’s care with anyone but yourself, you want to feel confident that the person has the values and principals of a top-quality caregiver. Simply put, you want them to care for your loved one like they were their own mother or father. It can be hard to fully assess the true qualities of a potential caregiver in your first few interactions with them. However, there are several key signs you can look for that are positive indicators that you have found a quality caregiver. Take a look!
They are responsive.
A quality caregiver makes communicating easy. This means that you can easily reach them to convey a message at any time, whether that’s related to your loved one’s health or the caregiver’s work schedule. Most importantly, they stay in constant communication with you when working so that if you have a question or are just checking in, you get your answer in a timely manner. This responsiveness demonstrates their attentiveness to your loved one as well.
They are reliable.
Another trait of a quality caregiver is that they are reliable and consistent. Habits of calling off work or arriving late are causes for concern. Both you and your loved one deserve a caregiver upon which you can rely. If you can’t rely on them to do something as straightforward as show up on time, how can you rely on them to give medications on time, keep proper records or follow any other special orders?
They are proactive.
A quality caregiver is also proactive. This means they actively seek ways to make improvements to your loved ones quality of life by introducing new activities or recommending safety precautions around the house. You know a caregiver is invested in their job when they go above and beyond what is expected out of their compassion for another person.
They are trustworthy.
Knowing if a caregiver is truly trustworthy often takes time. You must watch what they do in various scenarios to full assess their integrity. Do their words and actions align? Are they forthcoming if there’s an issue or incident? Does anything seem odd or off with your loved one or their home? If you need clarification because something doesn’t add up, ask the caregiver directly! Allow them to prove their trustworthiness with an honest response.
They form real relationships.
A caregiver who is truly committed will develop a true friendship with your loved one that is much deeper than just taking care of their basic needs. A quality caregiver will take an active interest in their life experiences, hobbies and family. This is fulfilling for everyone! The caregiver enjoys their job; the loved one feels physically and emotionally cared for; and the family feels peace of mind and joy from this relationship.
They have recommendations.
A quality caregiver should have no issue providing you with a list of references who will sing their praises. Be sure to follow-up and speak with these references! Ask them for stories and examples of situations where the caregiver demonstrated compassion. If they are employed through a home care agency, also ask the employer to provide a character reference. If everyone shares the same impression of the caregiver, you can feel confident they will provide your loved one with top-quality care.
Do you have experience working with a quality caregiver? How did they demonstrate integrity and compassion? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.
It’s a question you almost always put off answering until it’s something you need to decide right now. Who will care for Mom or Dad when they’re older? It may start off as a gradual process where children or other family members step in to provide various degrees of home care. As these visits become more frequent, stress, tension and worry may also increase. Finally you find yourself in a situation where you know something needs to change. Your loved one deserves the best possible care and you shouldn’t have to bear the burden of that.