Providing care for people with disabilities can be a richly rewarding profession, especially if you’re naturally drawn to protecting vulnerable people and tending to their needs. In addition to good mental and physical health, caregiving requires certain skills and personal strengths. Here are just a few of the most essential caregiver qualities to keep in mind if you’re considering a career in this field:
Empathy. Empathy for other people, especially those who depend on others for essential care, should be the first and foremost quality in a good caregiver. This involves understanding the challenges that people with disabilities face and caring about their comfort, safety, happiness, and growth. In short, caregivers should always prioritize the interests of the people in their charge.
Patience. Patience in caregiving is an absolute necessity. The path through daily tasks can vary in length and difficulty for people with disabilities. Professionals in this field should be prepared to stay calm and positive when routine tasks take longer than usual or when patients have repetitive questions, environmental sensitivities, or sudden mood changes or outbursts.
A sense of humor. A sense of humor can go a long way toward bolstering patience for caregivers. It’s important to realize that each day will bring something new, and finding something funny in the unexpected can not only keep you from getting frustrated, but can reduce stress and spark laughter in your patients as well.
Adaptability. Adaptability is an essential quality in caregivers because in this field, no two days are alike, and circumstances—as well as patient moods—can be unpredictable. Caregiver jobs require employees to be skilled at adjusting plans and schedules to work around their patients’ needs. They shouldn’t be easily flustered when things don’t go to plan.
Dependability. It goes without saying that employees need to be dependable for any job, but this quality is especially important in working with people with disabilities because routine is a necessity for their well-being. Having a predictable, reliable, and punctual caregiver can help patients feel calm and secure. Dependability is also essential in administering medication and getting patients to medical appointments.
Team-oriented attitude. Caring for people with disabilities is a team effort, so caregivers will need to be good communicators who work well with doctors, family members, and coworkers. Part of this involves advocating for your patient whenever care decisions are being made.
Become a Caregiver with Progressive Lifestyles
Progressive Lifestyles, Inc. is dedicated to providing innovative support services for people with disabilities. Our mission is to provide supportive and caring residential opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Oakland County, Michigan.
A primary focus of our organization is to interact with the individuals we support through the “Culture of Gentleness” model. We seek to create a positive environment to help them feel safe and valued while maximizing praise, limiting demands, maintaining consistent structure, and reducing stress during transitions.
We are hiring! No experience? No worries! You bring a warm heart and we'll teach you how to be a fantastic caregiver plus give you skills that you can use to further your career. Apply now!