Caregiving is a growing career option for many Americans looking for rewarding work. It gives people a sense of purpose and lets you see your works benefits in real-time. While there are many perks to working as a career, many qualities and skills set successful caregivers apart.Qualities of a Successful CaregiverA few innate qualities most caregivers tend to have that help them have a successful career include compassion, empathy, dependability, and drive. CompassionOne of the top qualities we look for in caregivers is compassion. Compassionate people go out of their way to physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually support others. Someone with compassion is also sensitive to others needs and knows how to make people feel comfortable in any situation. As a caregiver, you must put your clients needs first and do whats required to ensure they receive the proper quality care they deserve. EmpathyMany challenges come with aging; as a caregiver, its important to practice empathy when working with clients. There may be days when clients get frustrated with themselves for not being able to do something they once did, and they may take that frustration out on you. Try not to take reactions personally. Instead, put yourself in your clients shoes and let them know you understand where theyre coming from and that its okay to feel emotional about aging. Sometimes, that small act of empathy is enough to turn the situation around.DependabilityAs a caregiver, you must be dependable. You are responsible for showing up to shifts on time and performing all tasks to the best of your ability. Clients rely on their caregivers to help with daily tasks such as showering, dressing, grooming, and meal preparation. If you are not reliable, your clients likely wont feel comfortable with you caring for them and may refrain from asking for further assistance when they need it. However, showing up on time and providing quality care builds respect and trust so your clients can feel safe and comfortable in their homes. DriveCaregiving is a unique job in that youre responsible for your work without direct supervision from a manager. When youre working, its only you and your client. You need to have drive and take the initiative to complete your work. You should observe your client and step up and offer assistance without waiting for them to ask or for a care coordinator to ask you. Skills of a Successful CaregiverQualities of a successful caregiver are often something people have or not. The skills of a successful caregiver are learnable and tend to improve as you develop in your role. A few essential skills of a successful caregiver include time management, leadership, and communication skills.Time Management One of the benefits of working as a caregiver is the flexibility in scheduling. However, if you have a flexible schedule with non-traditional work hours, you must have good time management skills to ensure you are at each clients home on time. You also need to utilize your time management skills while working with clients. If you only have a few hours with each client, you should understand how to prioritize tasks and get everything completed in the given time frame. LeadershipLeadership is about your ability to influence others. As a caregiver, part of your job is helping seniors make healthy and safe choices. If you have good leadership skills, youll have an easier time convincing clients to eat more nutritious foods, be more active, or ask for help if they need it. Good leadership skills also help you build trust with your clients because theyll see you as an expert in their care and feel confident in your ability to help them. Communication Communication is about how you share and receive information. As a caregiver, you need to communicate with your clients effectively so they understand your role in their life. Strong communication skills also play an essential role in building relationships. The better you communicate, the easier itll be to connect and make a connection with your clients. Getting Started with Visiting Angels At Visiting Angels Grand Junction, were always looking for compassionate, dedicated caregivers to join our team. Were hiring part-time and full-time positions to help seniors in Grand Junction and the surrounding communities. A job with Visiting Angels comes with competitive hourly pay, paid training, flexible scheduling, bonus opportunities, and one-on-one client interactions. If youre interested in starting your caregiving journey, send us your application online or call 970-254-8888.

Locally owned and operated with 10 years in the industry, Roaring Fork Home Care assists our clients to remain in the comfort of their own home, by providing quality care up to 24 hours, 7 days a week; giving loved ones piece of mind.We Specialize inNon- Medical Personal CareHelping loved ones with more intimate personal tasks like bathing, dressing, hygiene, and more. Caregivers are experienced in understanding the personal nature of these types of support services.Companion CareCompanion care ensures your loved one has someone to talk to and interact with, and remains socialized.Homemaking CareCaregivers can assist with laundry, light housekeeping, and meal preparation.Respite CareShort term care is a great solution to preventing burnout as a family caregiver. Give yourself a break by bringing in a qualified care professional.Overnight CareA caregiver can be there to help throughout the night with things like getting ready for bed, using the bathroom at night, and getting up and ready for the day. For more information, please call us at 970-404-6353.

According to the census bureau, by 2030 there will be more people over the age of sixty-five than younger than five. Our health care system is not well prepared for the complex care that a diverse population of seniors will need. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is one factor that has amplified this problem. The healthcare system is often complicated and disjointed, especially for seniors and those dealing with chronic conditions. Care for the senior population will require a lot of different medical professionals to coordinate their medications as well as their general health care. When complete independence is no longer possible, many seniors require additional care in their home. Sometimes family members can step in and provide the care for their families, but this can put a lot of additional strain on the family member providing the care. In addition to their own work and family commitments, creating a work life balance can be overwhelming and unachievable in some cases. The caregiver should have training, emotional support, and any additional resources necessary to help them provide the best care for their loved ones and themselves. As a result of caregivers being overwhelmed, in many cases, it is appropriate for a professional caregiver to be employed on a regular basis, especially when there are complex medical conditions, physical disabilities, and many medications (polypharmacy) to care for and organize. With a private caregiver (Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Certified Nurse Assistant, or Home Health Aide) on board to deliver comprehensive senior care services, in many cases, seniors are able to remain in their own home longer and out of the hospital long term. Before you start looking for a caregiver, it's important that you first assess your needs. This will allow you to identify the type of care that you need and the skills that would be needed by the person who would be providing your care. Do you need nursing care? Or a nursing assistant, or home health aide? What time of day and what days do you need the most care? This will help you determine the type of skills and experience that you need from your caregiver.Helping to keep seniors at home as long as possible provides them with the ability to keep their independence, their dignity, and a sense of control over their life. All of this is important not only for their mental health and general health, but also for the healthcare system. Private care can alleviate the burden placed on the healthcare system and allows the client to be functional in their home as long as possible.