When a loved one has Alzheimer’s, you will find a point where you can no longer handle their caregiving completely on your own. Not only do you need to have a support team of doctors, medical staff, and family members to help you, but eventually bringing in an in-home caregiver will also become necessary.

When you decide that it’s time to hire a caregiver for a senior with Alzheimer’s, you’ll need to think about the qualities you want that caregiver to possess. To help you get started, we’ve outlined some important qualities any caregiver should have when caring for a senior with Alzheimer’s.

Top 5 Necessary Qualities a Caregiver Needs to Care for a Senior with Alzheimer’s

Proving Alzheimer’s care is a demanding, unique experience. Look for a caregiver with the following 5 qualities.

Patience

Caring for a senior with Alzheimer’s takes patience. Look for a caregiver who genuinely enjoys their job and prioritizes their patient’s well-being. A great caregiver will stay patient and kind, even on days when caregiving may be particularly challenging.

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A Desire to Build and Maintain a Senior’s Independence

Look for a caregiver who truly wants to build and maintain your loved one’s independence. This may be through working with you to develop strategies to help your loved one stay active and mentally stimulated. A caregiver should be open to including activities such as scrapbooking, doing puzzles, storytelling, and even integrating music therapy to provide the mental stimulation that your loved one can benefit from. At Cahoon Care, we incorporate these activities and more into our Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving.

An Encouraging Attitude

You’ll want to find a caregiver who is upbeat, positive, and encouraging in their attitude and approach to caregiving. This must-have attitude can make for a positive environment for your loved one.

Knowledge of Different Types of Alzheimer’s

It’s so important for a caregiver to have an understanding of the different types of Alzheimer’s, as well as the different stages, and the changes that you can expect with each. This understanding of Alzheimer’s will help a caregiver to understand the challenges that your loved one may face, as well as how they can best help your loved one on a day-to-day basis.

Experience with Alzheimer’s Care

There’s no replacing firsthand experience in caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. Always look for a caregiver who has worked with people with Alzheimer’s before. An experienced caregiver will have a sense of what to expect, will be educated about different care strategies and activities, and can more readily move into a caregiving role without requiring significant help or education from you.

How Cahoon Care Can Help

At Cahoon Care, we specialize in providing quality Alzheimer’s and dementia care. Our caregivers and care managers all complete extensive training with both Alzheimer’s and dementia care specialists. This training allows us to differentiate between the different types of Alzheimer’s and dementia so that we can then optimize your loved one’s treatment plan in order to provide the best care possible.

Would you like to learn more about the care we can offer your loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia? Please contact us today. We would be happy to talk about your loved one’s needs and how we can help.

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