Looking after frail, elderly people is a demanding job, even more so when they also have dementia or Alzheimer’s.

So, the first thing a carer will need is a great deal of patience because our residents are likely to have either reduced mobility or mental capacities or both. Understanding the individual will help the carer to anticipate their needs while at the same time showing respect for their autonomy, however limited it may be.

Respect for each individual as a person is also an important quality for carers, understanding that their charges are people, often with a great deal of experience and able to stand on their own two feet.

Empathy is important. Ageing can be a difficult process for people and carers need to be aware of the distress the process is causing even if it is not expressed.

Quick thinking, emotional intelligence, to take responsibility, plus the ability to multi-task and to learn are all essential carer qualities as things can change quickly – especially when patients have severe care needs.

A sunny personality is an asset especially when many older people suffer with depression and anxiety so being able to lift their spirits can be helpful. Depression and anxiety may make people uncooperative about eating, drinking or bathing. Given that much caring may be of an intimate nature, it is helpful for carers to be practical and able to handle the sight of bodily fluids and bodily functions with ease, without ever making the person they’re caring for feel ashamed or embarrassed.

Ideally, a carer will stay in their post for long enough to be able to get to know the people they are caring for. Knowing the individual’s likes, dislikes and preferences means they will be able to quickly spot physical or mental changes in physical, such as decreased appetite, weight loss or gain, increasing confusion, increased irritability, that may be a sign of an underlying problem.

Experience and personality are most important when employing carers, but because they are dealing with vulnerable people it is important that they can provide good references and have successfully undergone CRB/DBS checks.