Key skills in becoming a good carer - by Assistant Manager Codey Price

Codey is the Assistant Manager at Serenity and has over 5 years experience of working as a carer.

Having worked with a range of Service Users from End of Life care to others with minor health issues, here’s what Codey has to say is some of the key skills necessary in becoming a good carer.

1. Friendly and Caring – “A good carer requires a friendly and caring approach” says Codey as this puts the service users at ease and forms the basis of creating a long trusting relationship. “I always approach my service users with a smile and take time to get to know them, their interests and their personal needs, this often creates that personal touch and an instant connection.”
2. Listening – “Sometimes all that the service users want is simply someone to listen to them and acknowledge their views. Many times I have found that I would make them a cup of tea and allow them to just talk for the time of the call so that they can let out what’s on their mind. Very often I get thanked just for listening to them and giving them that time.”  So having good listening skills is critical for care work.
3. Adaptable and Flexible – “Overtime I have found that there is not one answer which fits all” says Codey. The care duties can range from helping clients with daily personal care such as washing, dressing, using the toilet and feeding themselves to managing budgets and working with health and social care professionals. The key to becoming a good carer is to be able to adapt to different service users and be flexible to their needs.
4. Excellent people skills – “As a carer you will be providing care for different types of people from all ages, ethicial backgrounds and will encounter different languages. It is essential to adopt to these and overcome any barriers and be able to put people at ease, gain their confidence and deal sympathetically with their problems and fears.”
5. Good communication and observation – Communication and observation are crucial to caring. As well as listening to the needs of your service user it is essential that you communicate effectively the care that you are providing them and alert them to any changes should their condition change.
6. Dealing with emotionally charged situations – Sometimes service users go through different degrees of emotions says Codey. “They could be having a “bad” day and being able to help them during such a crisis is a key part to becoming an effective carer.  Managing distressful situations is part of the natural duties of a carer and you will play a key in helping patients and families overcome these situations.”

“Becoming a carer and now managing an area of care has been one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever had” says Codey. “Being able to support people and helping them go through a difficult stage of their life gives me a sense of great achievement.”

“Don’t get me wrong” says Codey, “There are days when it can be extremely challenging and it is not as easy as it seems but this is soon overcome with the depth of gratitude received from service users, friends and family.”