Hiring a home health aide can be a lot of work. Aside from making sure that the caregiver has enough knowledge and skills, you also have to consider that they have the necessary traits to perform their caregiving duties well. If you are planning to hire a home health aide to look after your loved one, here are five important qualities to consider:
Emotional Stability
Being a caregiver means dealing with many things that may affect them emotionally. For example, they must take care of patients with different conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other progressive brain disorders, that may put them in a series of good and bad situations. They must be emotionally ready so that whatever happens in their job will not take a toll on their own emotional and mental wellbeing.
Reliability
A patient usually relies on a caregiver 24 hours a day, from eating and taking medicines to bathing and changing clothes. Because of this, you must hire someone who you can rely on and who is educated and responsible enough to handle any situation that may arise. This also means that a caregiver should be quick on their feet and know how to make good decisions in case of emergencies and other unexpected instances.
Passionate
Passion does not go unnoticed, as you will get to see how well people do their job and their attitude towards it. Aside from their performance and work ethic, one way to measure someone’s passion is through their eagerness to learn. The healthcare industry is fast-paced and ever-changing, so you will need someone who is willing and open to improve their knowledge and techniques.
Great Communication Skills
A good caregiver is someone who can reach out to their patients and encourage them to do as much as possible for themselves. Part of taking care of their patients is also giving them reassuring and motivating words to push through their current circumstances.
However, being a caregiver is not solely limited to their interactions with their patients because they also must communicate with the patient’s family and friends. As such, they should know how to write notes, give updates, or even make small talk in a professional and friendly manner. For immigrant caregivers, it would also be better if they are fluent in the native language of the country where they are working.
Furthermore, having a way with words means knowing the value of honesty. When it comes to caregiving, it is important that they are honest about their work towards their patients and their families, co-workers, and other people involved.
Physical Endurance
A caregiver is going to be working long, stressful, and extended hours. This will require them to stand for long hours, carry heavy things, and go to different places, among many others. While there are laws to ensure the physical welfare of home health aides, they must still be flexible and have the stamina to endure the demands of their work, especially if they will provide 24-hour care for their patients.
Conclusion
Caregiving is a job wherein every second counts, especially when it comes to the well-being of a loved one. Because of this, you need someone who will understand the importance of their job and has the skills to back it up. If you are looking for a 24/7 home care service, you must do a thorough background check or seek the services of a reliable healthcare provider in your area to make sure that you have everything you are looking for in a home health aide. Once you find the right service, it will all be worth it because you know they are going to deliver the best care to you and your loved ones.
If you are looking for a dependable and committed home health aide in Colorado Springs, Gateway Home Health offers the highest quality home-based patient care in an atmosphere of respect for human dignity. Our highly trained clinicians and therapists strive to exceed the expectations of our patients, families, caregivers, and physicians. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our services!