The skills and attributes needed to be a good carer.
Whether you’re looking for a good care provider or thinking of starting a career in care, it’s important to remember caring is all about people. As everyday humans, a carer needs to have a number of skills and attributes over and above those that can be learnt through training. Yes, it’s important to have good and regulatory qualifications along with some experience, but being a people person and having a good personality is just, if not, even more important. Multi-tasking, thinking on their feet, being punctual, reliable and willing to learn are all required skills, but we believe good carers need to have these essential human characteristics to deliver the best care.
Empathy and Kindness
Being able to connect with other people, helping them navigate their way through some often confusing and difficult challenges. By putting themselves in the shoes of the person they are caring for is a great skill. This allows them to make the right decisions with the right form and tone of communication at the right time. Displaying kindness whilst maintaining the dignity of the person are highly important.
Respect
As a person becomes frail or limited in what they can do physically and mentally, it can be frustrating for them losing this independence. Showing respect and being able to understand how they feel are signs of a good carer being able to recognise this.
Patience
Caring for a person can be challenging at times. Lapses of memory, health conditions or frailty that restrict independence can be very frustrating for anyone. A good carer must have the patience to handle each situation that arises calmly and sensitively.
Going the extra mile
Caring is so much more than just providing support at certain times of the day. Assisted living and those people in their own home and maintaining an independent lifestyle, it’s vital to be there for them when they need you most. And it could be something over and above the standard physical and mental support. They may need help with a daily household chores or help sorting out some administration like paying a domestic bill or online banking. They must always remember to respect the person’s property and their privacy along the way.
Cheerful
Since many people suffer with depression, a good carer should have a sunny, soothing disposition and be able to cheer up any patient, even if they are struggling to be co-operative and communicate easily. As you may be the only other person in their daily lives, being a cheerful person every time you visit can be the moment they look forward to every day.
As one of the leading care homes and at home care providers in Kent, Birchwood provides a team of highly skilled people to provide care both in our residential home in Speldhurst and for those in their own home in and around Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks. They are genuinely caring with great people skills and go the extra mile, day in, day out. With the guidance of the Birchwood Promise, the team look after our clients in the same way we would like to be looked after.
If you’re thinking about starting a career in caring or arranging care for a loved one or friend, please complete our online enquiry form, call us on 01892 863559 or email us at birchwood@birchwoodhouse.org.uk.
Other articles you may like
- How the elderly can benefit from Gardening
How the elderly can benefit from Gardening With the Summer solstice approaching and the sun shining just a littleContinue reading “How the elderly can benefit from Gardening” - Easy-bake meatloaf
ELIA’S EASY-BAKE MEATLOAF Who doesn’t like a freshly-baked meatloaf? It’s safe to say it’s a favourite amongst our residentsContinue reading “Easy-bake meatloaf” - Give us a smile! Four Reasons to smile every day
National Smile Month is upon us and here at Birchwood House, we’re all about sharing a friendly smile. Back in December of 2020, we launched Birchwood Smiles. It was a difficult time for us all, with the pandemic a major concern for many vulnerable people. With all staff in PPE, we wanted to make sure Birchwood House residents were still able to see a friendly face and so every team member wore a lanyard around their neck, with a large picture of their smiling face on it. - A Taste of Days Gone By this April
This month we travelled back in time and turned the clocks right back for an afternoon of vintage 1940s fun. We enjoyed fabulous vintage-styled live entertainment, historically themed displays, and the nostalgic taste of wartime Britain during our 1940s-inspired Tea Dance. - Spring Open day
Whether you’re looking for respite or permanent residential care Birchwood House warmly invites you to our Spring Open Day on Saturday 7th May from 12 – 4 pm. All key members of staff will be available to meet you as well as give a tour of our beautiful residential home on the outskirts of Tunbridge Wells. - There’s a spring in our step at Birchwood House
There’s a spring in our step! The flowers are blooming, and the skies are turning blue. Spring is onContinue reading “There’s a spring in our step at Birchwood House” - Win a Mother’s Day afternoon tea
- How arts and crafts hugely benefit the elderly
It’s been a fantastic month here at Birchwood House. We’ve recently celebrated Valentine’s Day and have enjoyed smiles all around. - The difference between care homes and retirement villages
As many adults enter the later stages of their life, they often need either extra care, help and support and want to be around those in a similar situation or position to them from an age and health perspective.
