From the time we were born to our childhood days, from our school days until we have families of our own; our parents have been our provider for almost all our needs. They have been the source of unconditional love and support that carried us through life.
Taking care of our aging parents is indeed the best way to give back for all the good things that they have done for us. They deserve nothing but the best quality care on their twilight years which we, their children may not be able to provide personally. For this reason, senior care institutions have been on the rise ever since.
Senior care can either be home-based or through nursing and retirement homes where elderlies are billeted out of their homes to dwell in housing units where they receive necessary services. Between the two, home care assistance is far better in terms of maintaining interpersonal relationships because it keeps our elders connected with their family, friends, and the community.
With many senior care providers available nowadays, you should consider the following factors in selecting the best for your elders; wide range of services, proximity to your homes, the cost of services, and most especially the values of individual workers of senior care companies. These essential values should be:
Compassion
The most compassionate workers are found to be the most effective caregivers. Expressing concern about their patient’s condition develops sensitivity, warmth, and kindness. Once tender loving care is given, trust and confidence can easily be extracted from older patients. This is very important as senior citizens are known to develop emotional and social detachment because of cognitive affectations.
Friendliness
Workers who can give true friendship to patients are hard to find. Those who do not only provide companionship but serve elders as if they are his own family are the most loved caregivers because their service knows no boundaries. Patients tend to be very dependent on such caregivers, but they also would not do anything that will displease them. They will look forward to every session because it gives them pleasure and satisfaction by being with whom they consider as a friend and a confidant.
Respect
Elderly patients lack self-confidence and so they tend to become lonely and desperate. Showing admiration for their abilities, qualities, and achievements will increase their self-esteem. As giving respect begets respect, the caregiver is seen as someone in authority who can command them to do what ought to be done. This enhances cooperation, so treatment sessions are completed without any arguments.
Rectitude
A caregiver should be committed to the highest ethical values. He should observe professionalism at all times. By being patient-centered, he should not do anything that will disadvantage his client. He should make most of his working hours even without supervision from his higher-ups. This guarantees that the money being paid for the services is worth it.
The most competent caregivers can make necessary judgments regarding the care program of elderly patients because they are highly skilled and has advanced training. Their expertise in what they are doing is judged on critical decisions they make while they are on duty. With competence coupled with empathy, friendship, honor, and professionalism; caring for our elders at home by a service provider can give us the peace of mind that we are giving back what is right to our beloved elders.