What To Look For In A Home Health Care Worker

When hiring a home health care worker to take care of a loved one, you naturally will want to check references and do a background check. However, there are other things you must look for when deciding on the right person to care for your mother, father, grandmother, or grandfather.

Compassion

Although our elderly relatives want to stay in their own homes, they may feel like someone coming in to take care of them is invading their territory. A home health care worker must be compassionate, understanding, and have the ability to communicate well with your family member. Listening to their concerns and a respectful attitude goes a long way toward creating a good relationship with your loved one. A company that can provide an in home caregiver for your loved one is Arcadia Home Care & Staffing.


You will want to observe the home health care worker when he or she is interacting with your elderly relative to ensure that they are comfortable with each other. Sometimes, a situation may arise that can be very challenging. Many elderly patients can be quite demanding, and certain illnesses can cause them to be somewhat cranky. The home health care worker you choose must be patient and calm even in these situations.

Dependability

Is the person you have hired to take care of your loved one dependable? Do they show up on time and stay later if needed? It is hard to maintain a strict schedule when it comes to taking care of the elderly or someone recovering from an illness. For example, perhaps you stay with your loved one a few hours each day. One day you are required to work late so you may need the caregiver to stay later.

Always check the credentials of someone you hire to take care of your loved one. This is particularly important if your elderly relative has an illness or condition such as diabetes, heart disease, emphysema, or something else that requires special care or medication. Anyone that is in charge of their care should have the medical knowledge and skills to properly handle their needs.