Top 12 Live in Caregiver Skills to Put on Your Resume
In live-in caregiving, your skills are the backbone of trust. Families notice competence, but they remember composure, empathy, and follow-through. The right mix of clinical know-how and everyday steadiness helps you handle crises, prevent problems, and keep life moving with dignity for the person you support. Below are the top skills employers expect—and the people in your care quietly rely on.
Live-in Caregiver Skills
- CPR Certified
- First Aid
- Medication Administration
- Alzheimer's Care
- Dementia Support
- Mobility Assistance
- Nutritional Planning
- Hygiene Assistance
- Housekeeping
- Emotional Support
- Scheduling (e.g., Google Calendar)
- Communication Skills
1. CPR Certified
CPR Certified means you’ve trained and passed assessment in cardiopulmonary resuscitation—critical when breathing or pulse stops. Seconds count. Calm, competent action saves lives.
Why It's Important
In a home setting you’re often the first responder. Proper CPR can bridge the gap until help arrives and can be the difference between recovery and tragedy.
How to Improve CPR Skills
Renew on schedule: Keep your card current—most programs recommend renewal every two years. Techniques change; stay aligned with the latest guidance.
Drill the basics: Practice compressions, rescue breaths, and AED steps regularly. Short, frequent refreshers stick better than once-a-year cramming.
Advance when needed: Consider ACLS or PALS if your client has higher medical needs or you work with children.
Simulate real scenarios: Use manikins when possible. Run through “what if” drills (choking, drowning, cardiac arrest during transfer).
Debrief: After any incident, review what went well and what to tighten up.
Prepared minds act faster. Practice builds that calm muscle.
How to Display CPR Certified Skills on Your Resume
2. First Aid
First Aid is immediate care for illness or injury—stabilizing, preventing worsening, and supporting recovery until professional help steps in or the issue resolves.
Why It's Important
Fast, correct action reduces complications, shortens recovery, and sometimes flat-out saves lives—especially when you’re the only person nearby.
How to Improve First Aid Skills
Get certified: Take a recognized course and refresh routinely.
Practice scenarios: Burns, cuts, falls, allergic reactions—rehearse responses so they’re automatic.
Keep a sharp kit: Stock, label, and check expiration dates. Place it where you can reach it fast.
Pair with CPR: These skills work hand-in-glove. Keep both current.
Add mental health first aid: Crises aren’t only physical. Learn de-escalation and support basics.
Reflect after events: Note what to improve and update your plan.
How to Display First Aid Skills on Your Resume
3. Medication Administration
Safe, accurate delivery of meds at the right dose, time, and route—plus documentation, monitoring, and communication with the care team.
Why It's Important
Medication errors cause injuries and hospitalizations. Precision here protects health and keeps conditions stable.
How to Improve Medication Administration Skills
Know the meds: Purpose, dose, timing, side effects, interactions. Keep an updated list and allergy history.
Follow the “rights”: Right person, medication, dose, time, route—and document. Add right reason and right response when applicable.
Organize relentlessly: Use pill organizers or pharmacy blister packs; set reminders; create a visible, simple schedule.
Measure correctly: Use proper syringes or cups—never guesswork.
Watch and record: Track effects and side effects; escalate concerns quickly.
Reconcile often: Update lists after every appointment, discharge, or dose change.
Respect scope and policy: Follow local regulations and agency procedures, especially for injectables or controlled meds.
How to Display Medication Administration Skills on Your Resume
4. Alzheimer's Care
Care tailored to the changing needs of someone with Alzheimer’s—safety, routines, support with daily activities, and calm guidance through confusion or distress.
Why It's Important
Consistent, empathetic support reduces risks, eases anxiety, and preserves quality of life—for the person and their family.
How to Improve Alzheimer's Care Skills
Learn the stages: Anticipate shifts in memory, judgment, and communication so you can plan ahead.
Safety-proof the home: Clear tripping hazards, secure exits, label spaces, and simplify pathways.
Rely on routine: Predictable days reduce agitation. Keep tasks familiar and achievable.
Communicate simply: Short sentences, eye contact, gentle tone, one step at a time.
Engage meaningfully: Music, photos, light exercise, and past hobbies spark joy and connection.
Respond to behavior, not just words: Look for triggers—pain, hunger, overstimulation—and adjust the environment first.
Protect yourself from burnout: Use respite care when needed and build a support circle.
How to Display Alzheimer's Care Skills on Your Resume
5. Dementia Support
Specialized assistance for people with dementia across types and stages—safety, daily living support, cognitive engagement, and steady reassurance.
Why It's Important
Dementia brings complexity. Skilled support prevents crises, preserves independence where possible, and reduces stress for everyone involved.
How to Improve Dementia Support Skills
Build knowledge: Understand symptoms beyond memory loss—communication changes, sensory issues, and behavior shifts.
Strengthen emotional support: Validate feelings; don’t argue reality. Redirect with warmth.
Use practical tools: Whiteboards, checklists, visual cues, and easy-to-read clocks can anchor the day.
Plan respite: Schedule breaks so care stays kind and sustainable.
Promote wellness: Sleep routines, hydration, gentle movement, and sunlight do wonders.
How to Display Dementia Support Skills on Your Resume
6. Mobility Assistance
Helping someone move safely—transfers, walking, positioning, and navigating the home—without stripping away independence.
Why It's Important
Safe mobility prevents falls, reduces pain, and keeps daily life possible. Confidence grows when movement feels secure.
How to Improve Mobility Assistance Skills
Assess and tailor: Match support to current strength, balance, and endurance. Reassess often.
Use the right tools: Gait belts, walkers, canes, wheelchairs, slide boards, and mechanical lifts—learn correct use.
Master transfers: Bed-to-chair, toilet, car. Body mechanics matter—protect the client and your back.
Modify the space: Grab bars, non-slip mats, ramps, better lighting, clear floors.
Practice strength and balance: Gentle, regular exercises designed by a PT can improve stability.
Prevent falls: Proper footwear, medication reviews for dizziness, and slow position changes.
How to Display Mobility Assistance Skills on Your Resume
7. Nutritional Planning
Thoughtful meal planning that fits medical needs, preferences, cultural habits, and budget—while keeping meals appealing and safe.
Why It's Important
Food is fuel, medicine, and comfort. Good planning stabilizes blood sugar, supports strength, and improves mood and energy.
How to Improve Nutritional Planning Skills
Assess needs: Consider diagnoses, meds, swallowing issues, allergies, and activity level. Consult a dietitian when appropriate.
Plan the week: Build balanced meals, prep ahead, and keep healthy snacks on hand.
Prioritize whole foods: Lean proteins, colorful produce, whole grains, healthy fats. Keep sodium and added sugar in check.
Hydrate: Track daily fluids; offer water routinely and pair with meals.
Monitor and adjust: Track weight, appetite, labs (as shared by the care team), and make changes as needed.
Practice food safety: Safe temps, clean prep areas, and careful handling—especially with high-risk foods.
How to Display Nutritional Planning Skills on Your Resume
8. Hygiene Assistance
Support with bathing, grooming, oral care, dressing, and toileting—delivered with discretion and respect.
Why It's Important
Good hygiene prevents infection, protects skin, boosts comfort, and preserves dignity.
How to Improve Hygiene Assistance Skills
Follow infection control: Hand hygiene every time. Use gloves and other protective gear when appropriate.
Protect skin: Gentle cleansers, moisturizers, regular repositioning, and quick attention to redness or breakdown.
Adapt the environment: Shower chairs, handheld sprayers, grab bars, raised toilet seats, and proper water temperature.
Honor preferences: Ask about routines, products, and privacy needs. Offer choices to foster control.
Go slow, explain: Narrate steps, keep the room warm, and move at a pace that feels safe.
How to Display Hygiene Assistance Skills on Your Resume
9. Housekeeping
Maintaining a clean, orderly, and safe home—laundry, dishes, sanitizing high-touch areas, and tidying spaces to support daily life.
Why It's Important
A healthy home reduces infection risk, fall hazards, and stress. Comfort rises when clutter falls.
How to Improve Housekeeping Skills
Build a schedule: Daily, weekly, monthly tasks—write it down and stick to it.
Declutter: Clear walkways, trim down excess, label storage to keep it simple.
Sanitize smart: Focus on bathrooms, kitchens, and frequently touched surfaces.
Think safety: Good lighting, secured cords, non-slip mats, and routine fall-risk checks.
Laundry hygiene: Hot water for soiled items, separate loads when needed, and clean machines.
Engage the client: If safe and desired, include light tasks to promote independence and purpose.
How to Display Housekeeping Skills on Your Resume
10. Emotional Support
Creating a steady, compassionate presence—listening, encouraging, and helping someone feel seen, safe, and respected.
Why It's Important
Emotional stability lowers anxiety, supports adherence to care, and builds trust. It also eases difficult days and strengthens resilience for both of you.
How to Improve Emotional Support Skills
Listen deeply: Let silence breathe. Reflect feelings back without judgment.
Show empathy: Validate their experience. Small gestures—warm tone, soft eye contact—go far.
Encourage connection: Keep up with friends, routines, hobbies, and gentle outings where possible.
Respect boundaries: Offer privacy, ask permission, maintain confidentiality.
Care for the caregiver: Your emotional steadiness depends on rest, support, and realistic limits.
How to Display Emotional Support Skills on Your Resume
11. Scheduling (e.g., Google Calendar)
Organizing appointments, tasks, meds, personal time, and care coordination in a clean, visible system that everyone can follow.
Why It's Important
Good scheduling prevents missed doses, double-bookings, and last-minute scrambles. Rhythm replaces chaos.
How to Improve Scheduling (e.g., Google Calendar) Skills
One source of truth: Keep everything in a single calendar or planner that’s always up to date.
Color and categorize: Medical, personal, therapy, errands—quick visual cues save time.
Share selectively: Give family or team members access to the parts they need. Reduce noise; keep clarity.
Use reminders: Set alerts with enough lead time to prepare, travel, or gather supplies.
Make recurring events: Meds, exercises, and check-ins belong on repeat.
Buffer and back up: Build in travel time and have a contingency plan for changes.
How to Display Scheduling (e.g., Google Calendar) Skills on Your Resume
12. Communication Skills
Clear, compassionate exchange—spoken, written, and non-verbal—paired with patience and active listening so needs are understood and met.
Why It's Important
Good communication prevents misunderstandings, builds trust, and keeps care aligned with preferences and goals.
How to Improve Communication Skills
Listen first: Focus fully, avoid interrupting, and reflect back what you heard.
Keep it plain: Short sentences, simple words, one idea at a time.
Mind body language: Open posture, gentle eye contact, and a calm pace speak volumes.
Use teach-back: Ask the person to repeat instructions in their own words to confirm understanding.
Provide written notes: Summaries, med lists, and schedules reduce confusion.
Be culturally aware: Honor communication styles, traditions, and preferences. Use interpreter services when needed.
How to Display Communication Skills on Your Resume
