When you are in search of a senior home care provider, either for a loved one or for yourself, you will likely be faced with numerous options for services and for specific caregivers. However, the problem may be that you do not know what to look for in a senior home care provider that will set them apart from the rest of the crowd. It is important to make sure that you have the right individual or individuals to provide in-home care so that you and/or your loved one feel comfortable and safe at home. Get to know a few of the qualities to look for in a senior home care provider so you can make your search process easier.
They Have Certifications In The Field
While not a requirement for some types of senior caregivers, it is good to find one that have various certifications and licenses in the field of caregiving. This can include being a state registered medication aide to be able to sort and give medications to their client.
Certified nursing assistants can provide various types of care and will be trained to help with transfers, lifting, hygiene, and the like. And at the very least, you will want to make sure your senior home caregiver is certified and proficient in first aid and CPR in case of emergency.
They Have Similar Interests To The Senior
Many caregivers can have the same certifications and credentials. However, not all of them will be right for your situation. You want a caregiver who can converse with the senior being cared for about subjects that interest them and that are near and dear to them.
This is why you should find a caregiver that has similar interests to the senior in question. This does not mean that they have to be interested in all of the same things. However, it does mean that there should be some common ground that can help build a trusting, friendly relationship. For example, if the senior loves to garden and enjoys tending to plants and looking at other gardens, then you want a caregiver who enjoys gardening, or at the very least likes being outdoors and nature.
Their Personality Suits The Senior (They Just Click)
Along with similar interests, there is another deciding factor in selecting a caregiver that is a bit more intangible. A caregiver's personality needs to suit the senior and they need to just click in order to have the best possible caregiver/client relationship.
For example, if the senior requiring care is a realist or a pessimist, you do not want to pair them with an exceptionally cheery and bubbly caregiver. Their personalities will clash and the senior will be unhappy with the arrangement. However, with another realist or a quietly optimistic person even, the combination could work. Finding that right fit and the "click" between a client and a caregiver may take some time and you may go through a few possible candidates before you find that right balance, but once you do, you will see how this intangible concept makes all the difference in the world.
Now that you know more about a few of the qualities to look for in a senior home care provider, you can better make your selections for yourself or your loved one and be sure that you make the right choice for your situation.
