Our world today pulls us in many different directions. Often, we struggle to find a sense of time, harmony and balance between demands which include our jobs, our family, and our personal time. Having a caregiver can relieve our own stresses, knowing that our loved ones are properly cared for in our absence.
Caregiving responsibilities for an elder may include, but are not limited to:
- Personal hygiene duties, such as grooming, dressing, bathing, exercising, and using the bathroom.
- Preparing and cooking food, as well as associated tasks such as grocery shopping.
- Basic household chores such as sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, dusting, ironing, watering plants and other miscellaneous housekeeping duties.
- General health care operations such as keeping track of upcoming appointments, managing prescriptions, administering medicine, and supervising the use of medicine(s).
- Mobility aid, such as with getting in and out of a wheelchair, a shower, a car, going up and down stairs as needed.
- Companionship and general supervision.
- Transportation, such as running errands, driving to appointments or activities, help getting in and out of a vehicle.
- Emotional support, providing support in personal matters, emotional requirements, or health-related situations.
- Relief services, such as standing in as a replacement at times to give family members or other caregivers or a temporary break.
- General organization of the home, such as cleaning, packing for a trip, overall organizing, and general upkeep and care.