PROFESSION
How to be a Great Caregiver
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted
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“Caregiving is a calling, not everyone hears it”
To care for another person as either a professional caregiver or as the friend or family member of the person who needs care takes commitment, compassion, and determination. It is not an easy path to take. While caregiving is rewarding, it is also very challenging. So that’s why caregivers need to be prepared for everything that caring for the elderly and chronically ill people can bring.
Here, I want to talk about caregiving philosophies and best practices that focus specifically on caring for elderly and chronically ill people since both groups have unique needs.
It’s intended to help professional caregivers and friends or family providing care navigate the challenges they face to be better caregivers.
A Caregiver’s Role
A caregiver’s role is incredibly complex — Providing care to someone elderly, or struggling with a chronic illness is more than just making sure that they eat, have help with bathing, and dressing, and are taking their medications.
Caregivers are often one of the very few people who are with their loved ones, friend, or client throughout this entire process. Because of that, caregivers tend to play a role in keeping someone out of the hospital and at home where they feel most comfortable.
“Care Philosophy”
Before a caregiver can provide care to another person, they must understand what it is that makes for effective care. Person-centered care is a philosophy that promotes the participation of the person in need of care.
