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 can we support adults with neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity is increasingly talked about in care, especially when it comes to meeting emotional needs. And whilst it’s so good to see this happening, sometimes older adults are left out of the conversation. Focus tends to be on children, particularly for school support and early diagnosis. - Pistachio and Honey Crème Brûlée
The Pistachio and Honey Crème Brûlé offers a sumptuous take on a timeless dessert, balancing comfort with sophistication. Hidden beneath its signature, shimmering caramel crust is a silky custard, enriched with the warm, floral sweetness of golden honey. - Prawn and chorizo pasta
This prawn and chorizo pasta offers a perfect mix of sweet and smoky flavour. The prawn brings a lighter, more delicate touch, whilst the chorizo gives the dish a richness. Plus, the fat from the chorizo is great for creating the sauce base! This one is from BBC Food and it’s super easy to prep and make, mixing lots of flavours in a way that feels warm and comfortable. Perfect for spring! - Care reviews: how your voice makes a difference
High-quality care is so much more than meeting basic needs. We want our residents to feel safe, valued, and fully supported in their day to day lives. That’s why feedback is so important. Having a voice is empowering, and we aim to ensure that all residents and their families feel comfortable advocating for their needs. We know that each resident has a unique care journey, and we’re always looking to hear about their individual experiences. This means hearing the good, the bad, and the ugly! We’re always looking for ways to improve, and our commitment to honest reviews keeps us at the top of our game. But why are reviews so important? And as a resident or family member, how can your voice make a difference? - How reminiscence supports wellbeing in later life
As we age, our memories become threads that connect us to who we are, where we’ve been, and the people we love. Even as routines, health, or mobility change, memories can provide comfort, stability, and joy. The act of reminiscing (even simply talking about past experiences) is something most of us do naturally, without thinking of it as a ‘therapy’. At our Kent care home, we see every day how powerful those shared stories can be. - Apple tarte tatin
Apple tarte tatin is a true delight! This dessert mixes caramelised sweetness with tangy apple undertones. The flaky texture of the pastry is another winner, giving the tarte a buttery, flakey base. We took inspiration from Oliver Rowe, and served ours with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whilst the tarte was still warm. And it’s not just apples! Other fruit like pears and prunes also works great for this pudding. Here’s how to make it yourself: - Gluten free chocolate cakes
Gluten free chocolate cakes There’s nothing better than chocolate for a sweet treat, and these gluten free chocolate cakesContinue reading “Gluten free chocolate cakes” - How can we manage stress to promote wellbeing?
We all know what it’s like to feel stressed, and we all have certain triggers. Whether it’s a deadline at work, a missed flight, or a new social situation, stress is a natural part of life. But as we get older, these stress triggers can change. Our health, and the health of our loved ones, becomes a more prominent source of stress, especially as this is something out of our control. On top of that, there’s the possible move into a care home, which can be a hard transition to navigate. At Birchwood House, we want to recognise the impact stress can have on our wellbeing, whilst using gentle, effective ways to reduce anxiety. So, what are some of the ways we manage stress to promote wellbeing? - National Hot Tea Month: why do we like tea so much?
January is National Hot Tea Month, and there is nothing better than a good cup of tea. It’s one of life’s small pleasures, and it’s a daily routine for many, including for us at Birchwood House! Tea is also rooted in long-standing tradition and cultural significance. Legend says that tea was discovered by Emperor Shen Nung all the way back in 2732 BC, when leaves from a wild tree accidentally blew into his pot of boiling water. Tea came to Europe in the early 1600s, and we’ve been drinking it ever since. To celebrate National Hot Tea Month, here are some of our favourite reasons why we drink it!
