Patient Caregiver

If you have a patient who needs to be cared for in a home or hospital environment, and especially if there is an uncertain-long term care requirement, your other responsibilities and your mood may make it difficult for you to handle this process alone. In this case, you can make the process easier for both yourself and your patient by agreeing with a companion and caregiver who has the qualities that will satisfy you.

Considering that patient care can cover the entire day in some cases, you will definitely need such support. As Damla Human Resources, we are committed to connecting you with caregivers and companions who have the necessary qualifications for your needs. Our reliable, trained, and friendly staff will not only meet all the needs of your patient perfectly but will also support you in overcoming this difficult process.

Timely and accurate meeting of the needs of patients and the elderly minimizes potential problems and accelerates the healing process. A quality companion and caregiver is someone who can organize many things. The patient and/or elderly individual needs to be in a clean environment, have their personal hygiene and care provided, and receive their medications on time and correctly, as well as be fed according to healthy eating principles and any special diet they may have.

If it is necessary to measure blood pressure, pulse, and temperature at certain intervals; to perform dressing and drainage, and to regularly change the position of bedridden patients to prevent bedsores, these should also be included in the patient care process. Additionally, helping the patient to undress and dress, ensuring they perform any exercises recommended by doctors, and taking precautions to protect them from potential accidents may also be necessary.

The list of needs is quite long and is determined according to the patient's condition. In some cases, the presence of a clean, caring, and attentive person is sufficient; in other cases, the presence of a specially trained individual is required. If you have a patient who can talk and move, finding activities to keep them occupied and entertained is also part of the care process. Some patients may need to be continuously monitored, and any observed changes should be reported to the doctor and family members without delay. A trained and experienced companion and caregiver will be aware of needs you may not think of and will provide excellent care for your patient.

Individuals who provide care as required by the conditions due to illness or post-operative processes are referred to as caregivers.

Who is a Caregiver?

A caregiver is responsible for the care of patients of different age groups who have physical or mental issues. To do this job, one must graduate from vocational and technical high schools or relevant departments of universities. However, individuals who have completed primary education can also find work as a caregiver after attending training courses that provide certification in this field.

Individuals who have not received any training related to patient care can also work as caregivers. This is related to the condition of the person to be cared for and the requests of individuals or families who need personnel to provide patient care.

You may not find it necessary for the person you are looking for to be trained by spreading the word in your circle, posting an ad saying, "I am looking for a caregiver", or applying to a human resources company. However, in some cases, it is necessary to agree with a trained caregiver. Even if there is no such requirement, for example, having a trained individual care for your elderly and sick mother may provide you with more confidence and peace of mind.

What Does a Caregiver Do?

The job description of a caregiver varies according to the condition and circumstances of the patient to be cared for. In some cases, serving or feeding the patient's meals, monitoring their medication intake, and keeping the living environment clean and orderly may be sufficient. Sometimes, it is necessary to change the patient's diaper, empty and clean their urinal, or provide feeding through the nose, and to dress wounds.

A caregiver is fundamentally someone who provides care for their patient as required by the situation.

The duties and responsibilities of a caregiver can be listed as follows:

*Gathers information about the illness of the person they will be caring for.

*Ensures the person is fed as needed. This may mean serving the patient's meal in bed or preparing it on a table. Sometimes, it is necessary to feed the person or assist them in eating independently.

If the patient needs to be fed using the enteral feeding method, that is, through a tube leading to their stomach, the caregiver provides the necessary amount of formula at required times and amounts throughout the day and checks whether the feeding apparatus is functioning correctly.

*A caregiver who provides care for bedridden patients must regularly change the patient's lying position, change their diaper, and empty their urinal.

*Dresses the patient's wounds and provides first aid support when necessary.

*Takes care of the cleanliness and personal hygiene of the person they are caring for.

*Ventilates, cleans, and keeps the patient's living environment tidy and orderly.

*Implements the treatment program recommended by the doctor. Ensures the patient takes their medications at the correct times and under the right conditions, and confirms that they are using them completely.

*Acts according to the instructions given by the patient's family. If they do not agree with the family on any issue or have different suggestions, they explain this.

*Provides books and newspapers to the person they are caring for or reads to them, making efforts to keep them occupied and feeling good. If they are caring for a child, they find games for them to play and may join in their play if necessary.

*Regularly monitors the patient's condition, reports any observed positive and negative changes to their family, and shares them with the doctor if necessary.

*Gives massages to the patient, encourages them to exercise, meets their need for movement, or helps them meet it.

*Identifies the items and materials that the person they are caring for needs and are missing in their environment, informs their family about this, and makes requests.

*Takes the necessary precautions for their own health and job safety.

What Are the Required Qualities of a Caregiver?

The qualities that a caregiver should possess vary according to the condition of the person to be cared for. For example, someone who needs to care for a patient with dementia must have very strong nerves. Otherwise, they may not be able to provide the necessary care for their patient, and their own psychology may deteriorate. Someone who needs to perform tasks such as wound care, changing diapers, and cleaning must not be uncomfortable with these tasks and should be capable of performing them as required.

In addition to these, there are general personality traits that caregivers should possess.

A good caregiver is someone who is understanding, patient, and compassionate. They adapt to their patient's changing moods, and during times when the patient is feeling down due to their condition, they speak and act in a way that will uplift their spirits. They provide occupational therapy, meaning they think of and find activities that will keep the patient occupied, entertained, and help them have a good time. They do this by considering the patient's age, condition, gender, hobbies, things they enjoy, and available opportunities.

The caregiver should also be talkative and cheerful, especially if the person they are caring for does not have issues with speaking or perception. This becomes even more important in the case of elderly patient care. Elderly individuals tend to have a negative outlook on life due to decreased physical abilities and a shrinking social circle. An experienced caregiver understands their patient in this situation, finds and implements what needs to be done for them to hold on to life more tightly and enjoy life. If necessary, they discuss this with the family and share their suggestions.

One of the qualities a good caregiver should possess is reliability. It is not easy for a person to entrust their sick child or family member to a stranger. Therefore, you should make your choice carefully to avoid any concerns.

Caregiver for Dementia Patients

If you have a relative with dementia or similar mental issues, it would be better to agree with an experienced dementia caregiver. Caring for a dementia patient can be quite difficult and exhausting. Patients in this situation may exhibit behavioral disorders such as constant anxiety and restlessness, extreme forgetfulness, self-harm, aggressive behavior towards those around them, and excessive irritability or suspicion. Therefore, it is good to have a caregiver around a dementia patient who can calmly and coolly respond to such attitudes and behaviors and act accordingly. This person must have extremely strong nerves.

Trained Caregivers

Trained caregivers who have graduated from high schools or universities with caregiving and similar programs are knowledgeable about various health issues of individuals of different age groups and genders. Especially when it comes to the care of patients with severe physical and/or mental issues, it is better to agree with a trained caregiver.

Experienced Caregivers

In some cases, being experienced in patient care may not be very important. For example, if the illness is mild, the patient's care is relatively easy, and a family member can be around to monitor the caregiver. However, in some cases, it is more effective and beneficial to agree with an experienced caregiver. If your patient's condition is severe, and it is necessary to know many details and not be disturbed by certain things, we recommend that you prefer to hire an experienced caregiver.

Points to Consider When Choosing a Caregiver

*Clearly and completely express your patient's condition. This way, you prevent the caregiver from encountering a surprising or shocking situation after starting work. Otherwise, the person may consider leaving the job soon, if not immediately.

*When preparing a caregiver job advertisement or providing information to the human resources company you are in contact with, specify all the qualities you are looking for. If you want to work with a referenced caregiver, express this. Explain how the candidates should care for your patient and what they should pay attention to. If there are other tasks you want to be done besides patient care, mention those as well.

*Pay attention to the body language, speaking style, and attitudes of the candidate towards people, patients, the elderly, and children. Ask questions that will help you gather information in these areas. Inquire whether they are patient, compassionate, have strong nerves, and are calm.

*Ensure that the candidate is a dedicated and punctual person.

*Gather information about their family and health status. Someone who frequently arrives late to work or takes leave due to personal issues or illness may disrupt your routine.

Finding a Caregiver with Damla Consulting

As Damla Human Resources, we have been providing nanny, play sister, Filipino caregiver, private driver, chauffeur, twin baby caregiver, Nepalese caregiver, caregiver, shadow teacher, accountant, and similar personnel to individuals, companies, and families for 20 years. We are at your service for your requests for experienced, referenced, and trained caregivers.

We would be happy to assist you with your needs such as elderly caregiver and elderly care. For this, you need to make a list of the qualities you are looking for and inform us. After receiving the necessary information on this matter, we immediately take action and identify candidates from our portfolio that meet your criteria. Then, we invite you to our office at a time that is convenient for you. Here, a meeting is held with you, us, and the candidate or candidates we will introduce to you.

If you decide to hire the candidate we recommend, we sign a 2-month contract between us. With this contract, we guarantee that if any issues arise within two months, we will find two new personnel for you.