Bharat SainiLast Updated on October 3, 2014 by Bharat Saini
The purpose and uses of home care services can vary greatly depending on the needs of the individual, which is one of the reasons why this form of care is increasingly popular amongst the elderly, disabled, and those who are dealing with illness. However this also makes it quite difficult to judge what exactly ‘good’ care consists of, especially if you have never used these services before. Having said this, there are certain qualities that distinguish the best carers from others, so let’s take a look at what makes a good home care assistant.
Patience and Empathy
The majority of people who use home care services do so because they are no longer able to do specific tasks and routines, or they find them increasingly difficult and time-consuming. As such, patience is one of the key attributes that any carer should have when dealing with vulnerable people. This links very closely to empathy; whilst care assistants inevitably become accustomed to the distressing situations that some people can be found in, empathising with the condition and difficulties that patients may face ensures that any care is tailored to the unique needs of the individual. Empathy allows people to make a real difference to the lives of the elderly and disabled, helping them to live a happy and fulfilling life even in challenging situations.
Flexible & Reliable
Being able to trust your care assistant is essential, and this doesn’t only relate to the safety and security of the home. Knowing that your assistant will turn up on time, as scheduled, and give you the quality service that you have agreed to is a minimum expectation that every patient is entitled to. If an assistant fails to meet these expectations, then they aren’t just letting down the patient, but they will be breaking the terms of the agreement too. A proactive assistant will also be tuned in to the changing requirements of the individual, and together help tailor the service to meet any developments in their condition to make their time even more valuable.
Practical Skills
An assistant could be as friendly, reliable and helpful as you like, but if they lack the skills to do their allocated jobs properly, then the service won’t be meeting expectations. Every professional carer should have a good understanding of health, safety and hygiene, so that whether they are helping with the housework, cooking meals, or getting the patient washed and dressed, they are doing to job to a high standard for the wellbeing of the individual.
Choosing a carer can be a tricky task, and can often be a case of trial and error as you strive to find someone suitable. However by choosing a reputable home care company to start with, you can have confidence that you will be receiving an assistant who has had a background check, training, and a good understanding of expectations and standards, to give them the skills and qualities required to do the best job possible.
Article written by Kelly Gilmour-Grassam, a Yorkshire lass who you can follow at @KellyGGrassam. This article was written with helpful information from Locala HomeCare.
