What makes an Effective Caregiver?

Meeting the requirements of a healthcare agency does not mean that the caregiver is effective. There are many aspects that are needed to be an effective caregiver. The question is -what makes an effective caregiver if licenses and training are not the sole basis?

What to look for in an Effective Caregiver

• Experience– Effective caregivers have previous experience in taking care of patients. It helps in determining whether or not they can handle a particular assignment. Having the experience does not mean that they are an effective caregiver.

• Good Communication Skills– Communication is an integral part of being an effective caregiver. The person being taken care of needs constant physical and verbal communication to attain well being, especially with their needs.

• Patience– An effective caregiver will show understanding and patience in the attitude, movement, and limitations of the patients. It sometimes includes perseverance in aiming for a better health of the patient in terms of the food, activities and attitude – that has great effect in their wellness.

• Knows how to empathize– An effective caregiver has the ability to place him/herself in someone else’s position. Putting their self in someone else’s shoes makes them more understanding and resourceful, in such a way, that they could create other means to keep their patients healthy and happy.

• Compassionate– Compassion is needed in a caregiver. It gives a genuine feel of sympathy to the patient, adding a deeper positiveness in their daily interaction.

• A good companion– Caregivers don’t just take good care of their patients to be effective. They have to become friends with their patients. As a good companion they are considered as someone dependable, especially in times of pain, and will trust their discretion. They will also help ease the anxiety of the patient’s loved ones.

• Creative– Creativity is also important in becoming an effective caregiver. It allows the person taken care of to have experiences that would make him or her more special and improve well being.

• Flexible– Effective caregivers are willing to adjust, especially when they know that the status of their patients may change. They need to be flexible to meet the changing needs of their clients.

• Must be committed– An effective caregiver is committed to the needs and improvements of her patient. A caregiver reads, plans, and learns the health care plan of her patient, Then apply the plan properly, so that she could help in fast tracking her patient’s health needs.

• Treats patient as family– As the saying goes, “Nothing beats tender loving care.” A caregiver is effective if she treats her patients as an important and valuable person in her life just like a family member. Treating a patient as family makes it easier to share them love, care and genuine concern.

Being effective caregiver roots from a positive relationship between the caregiver and the patient.  Being positive is the utmost thing that is needed in helping a patient heal and improve his or her health. Giving out positive energies and building relationship is an added vitamin to the daily lives of patients that helps them live a more vibrant life.