

If you’re looking for a carer to support your loved one, you need to know what to expect, what to look for and what your family member deserves.
It’s not always easy to make the decision to hire a home care worker. You might have thought you could look after your elderly relative or friend on your own, but often this simply isn’t possible. We all have commitments or daily pressures that require our attention and, as much as we would like to devote all our time and efforts to care for our elderly family, there is no shame in asking for a bit of extra support.
Once you made the decision to find in-home care for your elderly relative, you’ll probably have a lot of questions. One of the most pressing will be, “What should I look for in a carer?”
Companions of London offers professional, 24-hour domiciliary care across the London area, and our experience has taught us exactly what characteristics and attributes a good carer should possess. Below are the key points to keep in mind when searching for care at home.
1. Someone Who Is Passionate about Their Vocation
As Steve Jobs once said, “people with passion can change the world for the better”. When looking for a carer, you want to find someone who is clearly passionate about, and dedicated to, the caring profession. After all, when someone is passionate about their job, they generally work harder and perform better.
Passion is a critical attribute for a carer. Caring can be a difficult, demanding and stressful profession that requires someone to think on their feet and multi-task. This line of work isn’t for everyone, but the ones who have the longest careers in the profession are the ones who care the most. Passion for their role is something that should come across when you interview them — when all else fails, learn to trust your gut feeling.
2. A Person Who Has a Personal Connection with Your Loved One
Everyone is individual with their own particular quirks and preferences. As such, you need to find a carer with a personality that will mesh well with your elderly relative. The relationship between an individual and a carer is deeply personal. It is likely to last a long time so you want to make sure their characters and energy complement one another.
3. Someone Who Can Offer Personalised Support
Every carer knows that each client is unique and has their own particular needs. If your elderly relative is in the early stages of dementia, you will need someone who can offer dementia support, and who thoroughly understands the signs and symptoms of dementia. The ideal carer should be able to assess their client and determine their wants and needs, providing personal support while at the same time encouraging independence.
4. A Carer with the Relevant Qualifications and Experience
As with any other profession, you want to hire someone with the right qualifications, and someone who has proven experience in the caring industry. Knowing this is covered, you will enjoy peace of mind and be secure in the knowledge that your loved one is being taken care of to a high standard. To determine whether a carer has the right qualifications, check their employment history and work experience. They should also provide you with references, which is a great way of determining how they have performed in the past.
Click here for information about what training you need to be a carer in the UK.
5. Someone Who Is Genuine, Trustworthy and Friendly
Professionalism is important, but a friendly smile can go a long way to comforting and encouraging your loved one. A cheerful disposition and someone who appears genuine are indispensable qualities in a good carer. This person might be one of the only people your loved one interacts with on any given day, so it’s critical that they are pleasant to be around.
Why You Should Pick Companions of London for Your Home Care Services
Companions of London provide families across the capital with introductions to reliable and professional care agencies. Our network comprises domiciliary and in-home care for vulnerable and older adults. We want to give you peace of mind, knowing your loved one is being taken care of by experienced and friendly professionals. Our whole care team is driven by excellence, passion and is eager to deliver individualised care.
Get in touch if you want to find home care in London. Call us today and we will talk you through our care services to find the one that’s right for you.