When you hire someone to take care of your senior loved one, you want the very best. However, a resume and previous experience can only tell you so much about a person. There are some other essential characteristics you need to look for before entrusting a professional caregiver with your aging loved one’s wellbeing.

Flexibility

There will be times when your schedule changes, you run late, or the next caregiver calls in sick or has transportation problems. You need to make sure the caregiver you choose to hire can be flexible when needed. This doesn’t mean you should take advantage of the person’s time, but it does mean he or she may need to come in on the occasional Saturday or stick around for an extra hour when you’re stuck at work.

Initiative

The caregiver you hire should show initiative, particularly in emergency situations. You don’t want someone who cannot act quickly or is afraid to make a move without receiving orders. For example, if your loved one becomes injured, the caregiver should be able to make a quick decision about how to handle it according to the nature and severity of the injury. If the caregiver senses something isn’t right in any situation, he or she should be able to come up with a quick solution.

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. Assisting Hands is a leading home care provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.

Creativity

Most caregivers can do basic daily tasks, but a good caregiver will get creative about the way your loved one spends his or her day. The caregiver should find ways for your loved one to help with preparing meals, come up with arts and crafts projects, and even help your loved one learn a new skill or participate in a new hobby.

Emotional Strength

Physical strength is often necessary when caring for seniors, but emotional strength is also important. If your loved one is living with a serious illness, becomes depressed about losing some independence, or can simply be difficult, the caregiver must have the strength to handle the bad days along with the good.

Good Communication Skills

Communication is key when it comes to caregiving. Seniors who live with diseases like Alzheimer’s may have a difficult time communicating their own needs, so it’s up to their caregivers to find ways to understand what they need to be healthy and comfortable. You also want someone who is willing to communicate with you about the events of the day, even when things didn’t go so well.

Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Arlington home care experts are available to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional caregivers from Assisting Hands to enhance his or her quality of life.

Enthusiasm

The caregiver should enjoy his or her job and view it as more than a way to earn a paycheck. You don’t want someone who sits around counting down the minutes until you come home to take over. You want a caregiver who engages your loved one in conversation and pays attention to his or her emotional needs. The person should truly love working with and being around older people.

Finding the right caregiver can be an overwhelming task. However, this list of traits can help you find the perfect caregiver for your loved one. One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide home care service. Arlington families can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. To create a comprehensive home care plan for your parent, give us a call at (703) 997-4334 today.