What makes a good carer?
Posted on 10th May 2020We are so proud of all of our team and are confident that they offer the very best care around. When you’re looking for a carer for a loved one it can be a really difficult choice to make and you want to be confident in your decision. That’s why we at Complete Care have put together this handy list of things to look for when making one of the most important decisions of your life.
1. They’re passionate about their job
If someone is passionate about their job, they’re much more likely to do it well – and this goes double for a carer. Private care work can be a demanding job and often requires the carer to think on their feet and it’s important that a carer is driven in their work. You should be able to tell that your carer is passionate about their job just by talking to them.
From helping their clients with daily personal care, to accompanying them to doctor’s appointments, empowering a client to live their life as independently and as fully as possible should be rewarding. A passionate carer may find satisfaction through the simple act of bringing a smile to their client’s face or through enabling their client to enjoy their elderly life and seeing improvements in their wellbeing and lifestyle.
2. You and your carer get along well
You want a carer who will be patient, empathetic, and passionate for the job, but also one who has a personality that will complement your own. Shared interests are also important when trying to find the best match. Remember, your carer may be working with you or your loved-one for long periods of time and might be the only person that they come into contact with regularly outside of the family so it’s essential that you get on well.
3. They respect your decisions, wants, needs and boundaries
Every client is unique and your carer must understand the importance of providing personalised care and empowering you to be as independent as possible whilst respecting your limitations. One way of empowering independence is through respecting the autonomy of a client. A carer should understand that their client must have the ability to make decisions for themselves, such as when to get up, what to eat, and where to go.
A carer can respect your decisions, wants, and needs by enabling you to remain safe and calm in your own home, encouraging engagement with daily activities, and creating social interactions.
Whilst we want our carers and clients to get on well, we also know that having boundaries is important. Our carers are there to support you and help you in every way they can, however they know that their number one priority is the welfare and health of your loved ones.
4. They have the necessary experience and qualifications
You want a carer who knows what they are doing and who has experience working with your specific needs. All of our carers are trained by our expert in-house team to the highest standards and they receive refresher training throughout the year to keep their skills honed. We also match all of our carers to our clients to make sure that the fit is perfect for you all.
5. You can trust them
Trust is the foundation of any relationship between a carer and client. Remember, your carer will likely be working with your family when they are at their most vulnerable, so it’s essential that you trust them. To encourage trust a carer must be reliable, punctual, and respectful.
