What makes a good carer?
Our aim at Birchwood Care Services is simple: to enable our clients to enjoy living as fulfilling, independent lives as possible in their own homes, for as long as possible. Our philosophy is just as simple: we treat our clients how we would like to be treated.
So what do we look for when recruiting our carers?
Experience and qualifications are important, but so is personality. A good care worker, support worker or care assistant requires special caring skills – some of which can’t be learned or earned, but are naturally part of an individual’s personality. As well as being able to multi-task, think on their feet, be punctual, reliable and willing to learn, here are some of the other essential characteristics we believe make a great carer:
Kindness and empathy
We treat our clients with kindness, dignity and respect. A good carer should be able to connect with their elderly clients, to help them navigate their way through some often confusing and difficult challenges.
Respect
As an elderly person becomes frail and/or senile, it’s important to remember that they were once able to cope on their own and, despite losing their independence – and possibly their mental capacity – a good carer should respect and never patronise them.
Patience and being a good listener
Caring for elderly people can be frustrating at times; memory lapses become frequent, simple tasks take longer to complete and this can cause them to become irritable – sometimes even aggressive. A great carer needs to be patient enough to handle each situation that arises calmly, without getting flustered or resentful.
Going the extra mile
We don’t just follow the care plan; we take time to listen to our clients and meet their emotional, as well as their physical, needs. And we always remember that we are a guest in their home, and respect their property and their privacy.
Cheerful
Since many elderly people suffer with depression, a good carer should have a sunny, soothing disposition and be able to cheer up any patient, even an uncooperative one.
Birchwood’s carers are just one of the things that set us apart from other agencies. They are genuinely caring and interested in our clients, giving that little bit extra, day in, day out. You can learn more about a number of our fantastic carers here on the blog.
We understand the importance of finding the right carer for your loved one. How we look after our homecare clients is how we would like to be looked after ourselves, when the time comes. We carry out thorough recruitment processes, including checking police records and references, and provide a comprehensive induction programme, so that carers only start working alone when they are ready for it.
To arrange a no-obligation assessment for you or a relative, contact us on 01892863710 or email careservices@birchwoodhouse.org.uk
Other articles you may like
- Rainy day activities: bringing the fun indoors!
2026 has got off to quite a rainy start! It’s been reported for being particularly wet and gloomy, and there’s a long history behind the UK’s (rainy) weather. Sometimes, when it rains this hard, we have a ‘lazy day’. We choose to stay inside, have more lie ins, and wrap up under a blanket. This can be a great way to recharge your batteries and get some much-needed rest. But what if it’s always raining? Long stretches of wet weather can cause low mood, reduced motivation, and a sense of isolation, especially when social gatherings start to get cancelled. To combat this, here’s some rainy-day activities designed to lift the mood and help make our days more fun: - Music for dementia care
Music is universally loved, and for good reason. It brings people together across cultures, languages, generations, and identities. For those with dementia, music can be particularly important. Music for dementia care offers support and an alternative form of communication. It can redirect moods, help set a routine, and evoke familiar memories. But why is it that music is so beneficial? And how can it help us connect with our loved ones? - Finding community at Christmas
As we’re wrapping up 2025, we’re getting ready for all the incoming festivities. A big turkey, carol singing, and strolling through the markets are just some of the ways we’ve been enjoying the season. - Helping loved ones celebrate autumn
Christmas may be creeping up on us, but we’re not done celebrating autumn yet! It’s truly such a special season, filled with cosy nights and feel-good food. We want to make sure our clients are able to make the most of what this season has to offer. There are so many indoor and outdoor activities to help get in the spirit, and we’re here to help you get involved. Whether it’s a walk or an activity, we can support you however works best! - World Mental Health Day: how can we support our loved ones?
There is no health without mental health. It’s something that impacts every day of our lives in how we think, feel, and act. And yet for years, it’s been placed under a stigma, and awareness of mental health has continually been scrutinised. - How can we help older people learn new technology?
Community-building can be changing. What once used to be a face-to-face connection is now expanding to more online settings; think FaceTime, virtual events, and Facebook groups. And with more than one in three people over 65 lacking the skills needed to use the internet, there’s a real danger that our older loved ones may be missing out on opportunities to connect with the world around them. Helping relatives learn new technology is not just a helpful thing to do, but is so important in combatting social isolation, and reducing loneliness. - Creating a dementia friendly home
Dementia can be scary, both for the person with a diagnosis, and for anyone affected by that diagnosis. It can be caused by a variety of diseases and injuries that affect the brain, bringing memory loss, cognitive decline, and a loss of identity. - Good Care Month: Why carers are essential to the community
Good Care Month: Why carers are essential to the community July is officially Good Care Month, which means it’s a time to celebrateContinue reading “Good Care Month: Why carers are essential to the community “ - Protecting adults at risk: a closed culture is a poor culture.
Protecting adults at risk: a closed culture is a poor culture. When it comes to protecting adults at risk, it is essential toContinue reading “Protecting adults at risk: a closed culture is a poor culture. “
