Many of the skills you need to be a caretaker either in hospitals, homes, or in any other parastatals are already owned if you are that type of person who likes to take care of old people, children, or those who are perhaps unable to fend for themselves mostly because of sickness, or any other kinds of disabilities. A caregiver, carer or support worker is a paid or unpaid member of a person’s social network who helps them with activities of daily living.
Functionally, these set of professionals do a lot of things and many of these are taking care of someone who has a chronic illness or disease; managing medications or talking to doctors and nurses on someone’s behalf; helping to bathe or dress someone who is frail or disabled; or taking care of household chores, meals, or processes both formal and informal documentation related to health for someone who cannot do these things alone.
All those identified roles are indubitably attached to the situation of a typical caregiver, and so is their relevance amidst an aging population that constantly have need for them like never before. Also, since they have no specific professional training, they are often described as informal caregivers. Caregivers most commonly assist with impairments related to old age, disability, a disease, or a mental disorder.
Skills You Need to be a Caretaker
As it is said that a primary caregiver is the person who takes primary responsibility for someone who cannot care fully for himself or herself, we shall be identifying with the common skills you need to be a caretaker yet in this age where caregivers are becoming hot cakes.
Flexibility
As a caregiver who has come to grips of the fact that that job could be very funny and at the same time frustrating, you’ll rarely experience two days that are the same. Inevitably, the needs of your client change, so you’ll need to be able to rise to the circumstances. This includes changing health needs, schedules, and rescheduling events to ensure the best care for your client.
Cleanliness
One of the typical tasks of a caregiver is to maintain the cleanliness of their client’s home. More than likely, you’ll need to do some basic housekeeping duties throughout the day to keep their environment clean and healthy. This hygiene is essential for your client or loved one’s health
Compassion
Part of the process of being a caregiver is being in tune with a client’s emotional needs. While physical health and wellbeing matter, mental health is very important for seniors. Compassion embodies the need to deliver care in all aspects of the client’s life and to show kindness and empathy to provide quality emotional support.
Empathy
As a caregiver, it’s essential to understand the ever-changing needs of your client. Aging can sometimes be a challenging time for seniors, especially in cases of Alzheimer’s and other related conditions. You’ll need to tune into their needs and show kindness so they feel cared for and respected.
Time Management
Your day-to-day caregiving duties will more than likely follow some sort of schedule, which means you’ll need to learn how to be efficient and wise with your time. This includes prioritizing duties throughout the day; for example, bathing your client is more important than the time-consuming task of doing laundry.
Problem Solving Abilities
Problems regularly arise during your caregiving duties, so it’s important to be flexible and have an affinity for problem-solving. Since the health and wellness of your client can change in an instant, your ability to react effectively and calmly is vital.
Being Observant
Caregivers need to be constantly observant of the changing needs of their clients. Your client may be afraid to show signs of weakness, injury, or deteriorating health, so you need to recognize the signs so they may get the care they need. With experience, you’ll learn the habits and signs your clients give off so you may give them better care moving forward to address their needs.
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Communication
Practical communication skills are essential for a caregiver, especially in scenarios where more than one caregiver cares for a client. When working with other caregivers, it will be your responsibility to pass on relevant information regarding care responsibilities, like any changes to their health/vitals.
In addition, certain conditions like Alzheimer’s and Dementia tend to limit a person’s ability to communicate, so learning valuable communication skills is vital for filling in the gaps. Even without the decreased ability, clients may be afraid to share any changes to their health, so communication helps create a good relationship with them. Creating a safe environment for them to share with you should be a priority, so their care doesn’t suffer.
Stamina
In addition to the care-based duties of caregiving, a good caregiver should have a degree of physical strength and stamina to make it through the day’s duties. If your client has impaired mobility, you’ll need the strength to be able to assist them in basic movements, such as walking, getting in and out of bed, and more. In addition, this job usually entails long hours on your feet, so you’ll need to be in good health and have the stamina to remain active for your shift.
Patience
Caregiving is a selfless act and requires you to put someone else’s needs first. If you find yourself caring for someone that has limited communication abilities or a mental health condition, it may be challenging to know what they need, so you need patience to work with them.
Reliability
As you take on the full-time care of another person, you’ll see your client or loved one begin to rely on you regularly for their everyday needs. As their capabilities wane, activities like movement, cooking, transportation, and much more become your responsibility. Their quality of life is dependent on your ability to be reliable.
Organization
Organization is an essential skill for any caregiver to have. Even when working with a home care agency, caregivers typically have total control over their days, so you’ll need to stay organized to accomplish all your duties throughout the day. In addition, some clients may require an updated record of the client’s vitals or health, so proper record keeping and organization is important.
