5 Qualities of a Good Senior Care Provider

As your loved ones get older, you may soon have a need to look into senior care in Portland. Every patient has a unique lifestyle and set of needs and challenges, so you would do well to research all of your care options and talk through them with your loved one. In many cases, the best situation is in-home care in which providers routinely visit your loved one to provide medical, homemaking, and personal care. The key is choosing the right provider for the care required. Here are 5 qualities you should look for in a care provider for your loved one.

Experience

Alongside a sense of fulfillment, caring for seniors comes with specific challenges different from those associated with other age groups and phases of life. As a general rule, the more help your loved one needs, the more experienced a care provider should be. Don't be afraid to ask the care providers you interview about their experiences with things like wheelchairs, medications, and memory issues. No two senior care providers have had the same kinds of experiences. You will need to find the person whose background has best prepared them to meet the needs of your loved ones.

Knowledge

The recommended techniques and medical practices related to senior care are constantly shifting. A senior care provider should be knowledgeable and stay current on any necessary certifications. They should be competent in any physical care needs that your loved one has, whether that be hygiene practices or injury care. 

Beyond the medical side of things, a senior care provider should know how to do a variety of tasks to help your loved one go about their lives. This may include things like driving, cooking, and taking care of pets.

Additionally, a good care provider will be able to quickly gain an understanding of your loved one's situation and needs, asking questions as needed. They should stay informed and be observant to changes in your loved one's condition and medical instructions.

Flexibility

Your loved one shouldn't have to adjust to the schedule of a care provider. Instead, you should find a care provider that can work with your loved one's requested times. Before you hire a care provider, you should get a sense of their potential flexibility. Find out a little bit about the candidates' lives outside of senior care. This will help you get a sense of potential conflicts that may arise. You should also find out if a care provider prefers to work with a set schedule that continues from week to week or if they are open to changing things up.

People Skills

A good senior care provider will be friendly and warm to both you and your loved one. In many cases, providers help patients make and keep appointments and act as spokespeople to those with whom your loved one needs to interact in order to live their life. Communication skills are a vital part of this. A care provider should be able to clearly explain things to you and your loved one.

Empathy

Empathy is, perhaps, the most important trait a senior care provider should have. The difficulties of aging can be stressful and emotional for both you and your loved one. This can manifest itself in many ways, including anger and confusion. More than those at any other stage of life, the elderly need kindness and attention. A senior care provider should be prepared to lend a listening ear and exercise patience. Senior care in Portland should relieve pressure from you and give you peace of mind as providers keep tabs on your loved one and offer attentive service.

Source : articlesbase.com