The decision to seek in-home care for your older loved one can be challenging. In addition to considering how often you’ll need someone to come into the home and the services they should provide, you’ll want to be sure that the caregiver is someone you can trust to go beyond merely performing day-to-day tasks and will treat your loved one as they would their own family member. Here are some of the most important attributes to look for when considering an in-home caregiver:
An exceptional caregiver loves to work with seniors and is dedicated to her work.
A great in-home caregiver has a “heart” for older people. You’ll notice that they speak fondly of their clients and look forward to coming to work. They've probably had prior experience with seniors, from volunteering in a nursing home when they were in high school, to earning a nursing degree in order to provide medical care for the older community. They’ll also be interested in advancing their career with up-to-date training and supplemental courses.
An exceptional caregiver is detail oriented.
Medication schedules and dosing, running errands, and creating assessments and custom care plans can all be just some of the responsibilities of in-home caregivers. It’s crucial that your caregiver is someone who will stay on top of every detail to ensure that your loved one is getting the best care possible.
Your caregiver is reliable and responsible.
Does your caregiver show up on time? Is she neat and clean in appearance, and does she keep her work areas tidy? Does she do what she says she’ll do, and in a timely manner? If so, she’s an exceptional caregiver.
Your caregiver will be respectful of both the client and family.
An exceptional in-home caregiver considers the family’s needs and wishes and does her best to fulfill them. If for some reason she’s unable to do so, she explains why in a considerate manner.
An exceptional caregiver communicates clearly.
If your caregiver has any concerns about your loved one, she shares them immediately. If she’s running behind due to traffic, she’ll call as soon as possible to let you know. You never have to guess what an exceptional caregiver is doing or what her plan of action is when it comes to the care she’s providing. Additionally, an exceptional caregiver knows when and what information NOT to communicate to anyone who does not have the legal right to it, or when it’s not appropriate to share information about your loved one. She’s fully informed about and follows all HIPAA laws and is sensitive to the privacy of her clients.
An exceptional caregiver has a passion for making a difference in the lives of others.
Care and compassion for her fellow human beings is perhaps the most important sign of a great in-home caregiver. An exceptional caregiver wants to make a difference in the lives of the clients she serves — she’ll be dedicated to providing the highest quality care to the best of her ability.
Your caregiver understands that she must also take care of her own needs.
Caring for others can take a toll on the physical, emotional, and mental health of anyone. A great in-home caregiver knows that she can’t be her best if she’s depleted of sleep or energy or is drained emotionally, so she makes sure she’s taking good care of herself, so she can dedicate herself fully to her client while she’s working.
At Mountain Home Care, we pride ourselves on hiring caring, compassionate, highly qualified caregivers with spotless references and exemplary backgrounds. We insist on a clean driving record, punctuality, and excellent references from our employees so that you can have the peace of mind knowing that your senior loved one is getting exceptional care! Contact us today to learn how we can help connect you with a caregiver for your senior loved one.