While aging in itself is not a reason to seek caregiver support, many elderly people are affected by different physical or mental conditions and diseases that require some form of assistance. Also, people with dementia or other chronic or incapacitating conditions may be completely dependent on others for meeting their basic needs.

A caregiver has an important task to ensure that the seniors in their care age with dignity and keep their independence for as long as possible. Caregivers spend a lot of time with a person they care for, so it is important to find a caregiver who will treat you or your senior family member with care, patience, compassion, and respect.

Whether your caregiver works independently, for a home care agency, or your caregiver is a family member, there are some common traits that are important for a person to have to perform caregiving duties successfully.

So, what are the qualities of a caregiver?

If you are searching for a professional home caregiver for yourself or your loved one, these are the qualities to look for.

1. Flexibility and Patience

A good caregiver understands the needs of a person receiving care. They are flexible and accept that things won’t always go smoothly as planned, or that schedule may change, and that sometimes they’ll have to play it by ear. A home caregiver patiently accepts that a senior may easily become emotional, irritated, or uncooperative, or in severe pain, and he or she is flexible to adapt to these changes.   

1. Attentiveness and Empathy

Empathy is an ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. In other words, an empathetic caregiver can easily detect the changes in mood, discomfort level, and pain people in their care experience. They have an understanding of what a person they care for is going through and are always attuned to their needs as well as to changes in the person’s condition.

1. Commitment and Reliability

A caregiver should be someone who is committed to their profession and available to a person they provide care for. A good home caregiver knows that the senior and his or her family rely on them. It is vital, therefore, that a caregiver shows dependability and be there for the senior and his or her family when they need it, no matter what.

1. Confidentiality

A home caregiver has access to a lot of confidential information, so it is essential that he or she keeps the information to themselves.

1. Professionalism

We all have personal issues that stress us out. However, a good caregiver cannot let their personal problems affect their work. A person who receives care can easily sense the mood of a caregiver and be affected by it, so keeping private matters private is essential.

There are many qualities that make a successful caregiver. However, the above mentioned are critical when searching for a home caregiver that will care for a person you love.