The Qualities of a Good Carer

01

Respectful

02

Empathetic

03

Reliable

Care workers will often be called upon to make sure that their clients meet appointments, drink and eat regularly, and take their medication every day. 

Particularly for those who have dementia, these tasks can be incredibly difficult. Therefore, home carers need to be reliable to ensure that they are carried out. 

The consequences of failing to do these tasks regularly can have severe consequences.

04

Patient

With the limitations that older adults suffer from, living and caring for them can become incredibly frustrating. 

The nature of ageing illnesses means that these limitations, and the frustrations that come with them, will only get worse. The client will also feel this frustration, as their abilities naturally decline; they may become upset, frustrated or even angry and aggressive. Good care workers will therefore need to show a great deal of patience when supporting a client. 

Controlling your own emotions and handling these stressful situations in a calm and positive manner is what determines a good care worker from a bad one.   

05

Sunny

A good carer also needs to be a ray of sunlight in their clients' otherwise lonely and confusing lives. Older adults suffering from physical or mental limitations can develop depression and very low moods. 

Therefore, home care workers need to be able to cheer their clients up when they are supporting them and not bring them down even more. 

Depending on the condition that an older person may be living with, especially those with cerebral conditions such as dementia, they can be difficult to handle. They may be slower to accept change or refuse to take their medication, eat or bathe. 

Therefore, carers with a cheerier disposition and a sunny personality will have a better chance of winning these clients and promoting communication and cooperation.    

06

Practical

Care workers will find that they have to assist their clients with several intimate and personal care services. These can include bathing, toileting, ablutions, period care and dressing wounds. Essentially, care work is not for those with delicate stomachs. 

Carers will be required to carry out many personal duties that require a great deal of professionalism and discretion. They will need to be able to handle the sight of bodily fluids practically and unashamedly assist their client with their various bodily functions. 

The client's welfare is of the utmost importance, including limiting their shame or embarrassment as much as possible when helping with their daily routines.  

07

Observant

The physical and mental health of older people can rapidly decline at any given moment, depending on the conditions they are living with and how advanced they are. Carers are then expected to be observant enough to notice any dramatic changes and to monitor their client's condition. 

They will be experienced enough to notice when these signs of deterioration will begin to show, noting them and ensuring that their senior care staff are aware of it also. 

These signs can be anything from increased aggression, dramatic changes in weight, loss of appetite or decreased cognitive functions. Any changes such as these can indicate severe underlying issues, and a professional carer will know to look out for them.

08

Caring

As the name would suggest, a care worker needs to be someone who is genuinely caring by nature. Care work can be as challenging and frustrating as it is rewarding. 

Therefore, if someone who takes on care duties for a client only sees their work as 'just another job to do', will surely struggle without any greater motivation. Having a real dedication towards professional care and support is the best way to ensure that a carer will do a good job. 

When selecting a carer to support yourself or your loved one, you should ensure that they genuinely care and provide a truly beneficial service.

10

Qualified

When it comes to personal care, experience and personality traits are far more valuable than qualifications. However, the benefits of professional training and knowledge cannot be understated. 

There are also many different types of qualifications that someone working in the care industry could possess. However, there is not an industry-wide standard that all carers need to meet to work with clients. Therefore, it should not discourage you that someone does not have any professional qualifications when considering your options. 

So long as the carer has passed their enhanced DBS background check, has the necessary experience that you need and is personable enough to care for you or your loved one, that is all you need.