A caregiver is a person who cares for the elderly, or others who need assistive care. Many are family caregivers who have the responsibility of taking care of an elderly parent, or other senior loved one. As with any chosen career, the caregiver wants to do the best job possible, and be the best that they can be. Caregivers are compassionate with their responsibilities to ensure that the older adult feels safe and secure in the care of someone else. Family caregivers are often placed in this role without formal training, and they do everything that is expected of them plus more. Vancouver home care throws some light on this topic;
How To Be A Good Caregiver
A caregiver can take care of the duties of caring for their senior loved one by following their instinct especially if it is a parent, then they can let their love for them lead in their duties. All caregivers who choose to do the job want to be great at it. Home Care Vancouver shares some tips with you of a good caregiver;
1. One very important quality that a caregiver should have is patience. When caring for an older adult, you cannot try and rush them to do anything. Aging slows down the reflexes, mobility, flexibility, and agility. It may take longer for the older adult to eat a meal, bath, dress and groom themselves, walk from room to room, and small details of their normal daily routines.
2. Another important quality of a good caregiver is trustworthiness. Your senior loved one wants to be assured that they can trust the person caring for them. Caregivers often have the responsibility of managing the finances, legal issues, and other very personal aspects of the daily life of the older adult. They feel better knowing that you are truly trustworthy.
3. Having qualities like dependability and reliability go a long way in being a good caregiver. You need to be available when needed. Your senior loved one never needs to feel that they are alone. They rely on you to put their needs first and foremost. They depend on you to do what is best for them in every way. It gives them confidence and peace of mind to know that they have someone that they can depend on to manage their care.
4. Attentiveness is a quality that is essential for caregivers to have. You need to be able to not only listen to your senior loved one, but to hear what they say. Then they talk to you, take an interest. Speak in a conversational tone that they can understand. Give input, and ask questions if you need further clarification. Spend time in general conversation where each of you shares stories with the other.
5. Your Senior loved one should never feel that you are just doing a job. You can booster their self esteem by generating a feeling of compassion. When they know that you genuinely care for them, they are less likely to experience many of the challenges faced by older adults like isolation and loneliness. Being a good caregiver is simply being empathetic in your care.
