Vital Traits a Professional Caregiver Should Possess
Many seniors prefer to age in place in the comfort of their own homes. Ensuring safety and meeting daily needs may require the assistance of professional caregivers. Below are some of the most important qualities to consider when searching for a professional in-home caregiver.
Trustworthiness
A lack of transparency can have negative effects on the relationship between a professional caregiver and your aging loved one. Lack of trust may lead your loved one to hide health information, exposing them to danger. If your loved one is taking medication or feeling ill and doesn’t trust the caregiver, they may withhold information about the medication’s effects or let an illness grow worse instead of speaking up.
Without trust, your loved one might also refuse the caregiver’s help with bathing, dressing, or other hygiene-related tasks due to the uncertainty and discomfort. As a result, your loved one’s quality of life could worsen.
There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Corio by Institute on Aging (IOA)
is a leading elder care provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.
Great Communication
To understand your loved one’s wants and needs, communication is key for the professional caregiver you select. That includes being an active listener, incorporating nonverbal actions, and being clear and concise. These abilities can enable the caregiver to interact effectively and ensure your loved one is aging in place safely.
Communication also includes providing empathetic and necessary feedback. This can enhance the environment by boosting your loved one’s confidence rather than discouraging them from completing daily tasks or accepting help when needed.
Patience
Your loved one’s care needs may vary from those of other seniors. If your loved one is living with conditions that impact the ability to hear, speak, move, or see, a caregiver will need to step in. Therefore, it’s best to ensure the professional you select has the patience to do so, especially if your loved one’s health worsens with time. When searching for an in-home caregiver, ask questions such as how the individual will respond to challenging setbacks.
Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but live-in care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional live-in caregivers from Corio by IOA to enhance their quality of life.
Physical Strength
Although a caregiver doesn’t need to be a powerlifter, the type of daily assistance your loved one needs could require the professional to perform physically demanding tasks. For example, if your loved one cannot walk or move, they’ll rely on the in-home caregiver for assistance using the restroom, navigating the stairs, or getting into a car when going on outings or medical visits. In some instances, the caregiver may also need to push your loved one in a wheelchair.
If your loved one has difficulty with physical movements and some mental challenges, it would be best to hire an in-home caregiver with the physical strength necessary for these tasks.
One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide 24-hour home care as well as overnight and live-in care. Families can turn to Corio by IOA for reliable, high-quality in-home care in San Francisco for aging adults. We offer 24-hour care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties. To hire a professionally trained caregiver for your loved one, call us today at (415) 750-4111.
