SARA caregivers are always striving for new career heights and greater rewards, both personal and financial at our licensed Home Care agency. A good start to getting promoted is reading the following:
SARA is an acronym for Skilled Attentive Reliable Assistant. Caregivers who display the attributes of those words can become great caregivers.
S
KILLED
- SARA’s clients/patients rely on us to provide them with highly skilled caregivers.
- Good caregivers sharpen their skills each year to make sure they are familiar with the best and latest care methods through education both from in-service classes and their outside learning efforts.
- Great caregivers want to be able to learn all the techniques (such as utilizing the Hoyer lift), to provide greater service and comfort for their client/patient.
- Excellent SARA caregivers welcome the opportunity to use their skills to help their client/patient.
A
TTENTIVE
- SARA caregivers provide physical, mental, and emotional support for their client/patient.
- They know that many of their clients/patients have difficulty with mobility or other health issues and should not be left unattended.
- A good caregiver will be aware of any health changes (mental or physical) and report them to the Clinical department so they can follow up with the client/patient to see if further assistance is required.
- An excellent caregiver is empathetic but professional with the client/patient and always caring.
- SARA’s great caregivers respect the client/patient as a person as well as their needs, desires, cultural or religious differences, family, and friends. They also respect the home and belongings of the client/patient.
- Some SARAs even learn new skills such as cooking techniques or hobbies as a way of bonding with the client/patient. Taking an interest in their passions is an excellent way to get to know a client/patient.
R
ELIABLE
- A SARA caregiver takes on a great responsibility when they enter the home of a client/patient. They are being entrusted with the care of another individual to make their life easier, to provide comfort, and to ensure the safety of the client/patient within a home environment.
- Reliability is a key attribute that SARA expects from its caregivers.
- Clocking in and out is essential.
- Vacations and other days off must be requested in advance with the proper paperwork submitted to the agency so the client/patient can be informed and a replacement can be found.
- Absences due to illness or for another reason, must be reported at least 2 hours in advance of the start of care.
- No calls, no shows are unacceptable and grounds for dismissal.
- It is unacceptable to leave a case before the next caregiver arrives.
- While late arrivals can occur, they should be minimal since the client/patient is relying on the caregiver to be there when they are scheduled. Repeated lateness could result in the possible dismissal of the caregiver.
- One aspect of reliability is the ability to follow rules and regulations regarding the care of a client/patient, especially the Care Plan. Communication with Clinical and/or Staffing about patients is essential. Clinical, Staffing or Client Services should discuss issues with clients/patients rather than the caregiver.
- The caregiver also makes sure that their medical and other personal information is up-to-date and provided to SARA, plus they complete the Department of Health, Department of Labor, and other courses that are required.
A
SSISTANT
- A great SARA caregiver knows that they are in the home to assist the client/patient by making their life better.
- Within the guidelines of being a Certified Home Health Aide, they provide the best home care support that they can.
- SARA caregivers communicate well with the agency to inform them of any problems or needs that arise.
- SARAs are proud of their jobs and their agency so they act and dress professionally at all times when in the home of a client/patient.
- This includes wearing appropriate day and night clothes, shoes, make-up, and jewelry.
- Many clients/patients are sensitive to smells so the caregiver should practice good hygiene, avoid perfumes, and avoid cooking food with strong odors.
- Caregivers should not curse, yell, or smoke in the home.
- They should always be polite and say “please” and “thank you”.
- They should never take advantage of the generosity of a client/patient.
- Stealing from the client/patient or misreporting hours of work is grounds for dismissal and possible legal action.
- To become an Elite SARA, a caregiver takes the extra effort needed to provide comfort, safety, and companionship for their client/patient while following all the agency’s rules and best practices.