Taking care of medical-related duties and helping around the house is only a small part of what it means to be a caregiver for elders or persons who need assistance due to diseases or accidents. The patient’s quality of life may be significantly impacted by this relationship. Careful thought and extensive investigation should go into selecting a caregiver. And while years of expertise and excellent recommendations are important, the best caregiver will be the one who can establish a close bond with the patient. Here are a few reasons for this:

• Trust and Security: Even though they are aware that it is necessary, some patients may only accept the barest amount of assistance, particularly when it comes to personal care requirements like dressing or washing. However, patients who grow to trust their caregivers are typically more open to getting the support they require. Seniors and patients must feel comfortable and secure in their surroundings because stress and discomfort can harm healing processes and quality of life.

• Social Stimulation: Socialization may be restricted if a senior or patient is confined to their home or a care facility. A patient’s demand for companionship can be greatly affected by their relationship with their caregiver, and not simply emotionally. For seniors in particular, talking, playing cards or board games, crafting, and other activities offer crucial cerebral stimulation

• Open communication: Some elders or patients may be reluctant to discuss their health or other concerns with their caregiver for a variety of reasons, such as shyness, fear, denial, or private nature. A patient may be more inclined to talk about worries that, if not addressed, could result in additional health issues or mental discomfort if they have a close relationship with their caregiver. If the senior or patient doesn’t have close contact with family members or isn’t particularly communicative with their doctor, this component of the caregiver-patient relationship is extremely important.

• Health Benefits: It is common knowledge that people who require short-term care due to an illness or injury recover more quickly if they are not subjected to stress, mental pain, or social isolation. But beyond that, researchers have discovered that when individuals with dementia receive individualized, supportive care, they do better on functional and cognitive tests. Caregiver compassion may therefore be the next best thing to a cure for disease!