Monique P.

I have 6 years experience as a caregiver What i enjoy most about being a caregiver is that I like to help others

Devoting most of my time to the care of someone else is one of the most selfless things someone can do, but it's not only about the time involved. Being able to understand the person you're caring for, knowing their problems, challenges and desires will not only make it easier to care for them, but will undoubtedly improve the relationship you have with each other. Empathy is a big aspect of that, and being able to put yourself in someone else's shoes and be empathetic will only increase the quality of care you're providing.As instrumental as caregivers are, communication is key. It can be something as simple as going through the day's schedule, or complicated as discussing health concerns, but no matter what it is, it must be done well. Subpar communication will do nothing beneficial for the relationship, and in fact, could damage it. Furthermore, as it's likely there's more than one caregiver in the individual's life, and because of all the moving parts, communication is key to get information to all the relevant parties. Whether it's relaying health information or just remaining congenial, communication between caregivers is important, second only to communicating with the individual.