Eight Keys to Quality Caregiving
by the Rev. Dr. Elbert C. Cole

1. For some, caregiving is assumed to be custodial, but quality caregiving attempts to lift the care receiver to his/her highest functional capacity.


2. Quality caregiving begins with the caregiver writing and living a self-care plan to assure her or his own well-being.


3. Caregiving encompasses the attitude that the care receiver is still a person with the same basic needs of any other person.


4. The caregiver resists apologizing or being ashamed of the care receiver or his or her actions.


5. Caregiving requires the caregiver to reckon with any feelings of guilt either self-imposed or assigned by the care receiver or others and affirms she or he is doing her or his best.


6. Caregiving is a partnership in which the care receiver is not made to feel useless or worthless but a partner in the process.


7. Caregiving refrains from doing anything for the care receiver that he or she can do for himself or herself.


8. Caregiving is a family and community responsibility, opportunity, and privilege.

The Rev. Dr. Elbert C. Cole is the Founder and Former CEO of The Shepherd's Centers of America and consultant to the United Methodist Committee on Older Adult Ministries. He may be contacted at 816-960-2022.