Caregiver Duties
So what comes to mind when you think of elder caregivers? Senior home care? Elderly long-term care in assisted living facilities or a nursing home? Or you? Caregiving is one of the growing elderly issues, and all of these scenarios are common today. The elderly caregiver, therefore, certainly could be you. Or partially you. In my case, it was first partially me and then fully me. And that made a huge difference.
It is very possible that at some point you will need part-time or full-time caregiving from the outside, such as elderly home care, either for yourself or a loved one. So it's important to understand a good elderly caregiver description. I definitely needed to know this for myself, and also in the event that I would need additional help in caring for my dad. But what could I expect regarding duties a caregiver would provide?
Clarification of your needs vs. elderly caregiver duties that are available is crucial before proceeding with obtaining senior care, either from an outside senior service, or in an elderly long-term care facility. This is especially true if progressing elderly problems or illnesses are involved, particularly dementia (see our dementia overview). Our family had to really assess the needs of our Dad before we made decisions as to what I could and could not handle.
The best approach is to first thoroughly know what you're dealing with and then begin making a plan for your care of elderly. to help with fundamentals of caregiving.
It is vital to assess the needs of your loved one realistically in order to provide the necessary care, and to ensure that you are not over-extending yourself beyond your limits. Don't pretend you can handle something if you have a feeling in the back of your mind that maybe you can't.
Many caregiver duties are very personal to the patient, as with my father, and you should discuss with your loved one whether they have a preference or need for a male or female attendant. Any safety issues should also be discussed. Needless to say, an attitude that is caring and respectful should always be maintained by the caregiver toward the patient and any elderly problems.
These are common caregiver duties that may need to be performed by either you and/or an outside person(s).
- Grooming assistance – Brushing teeth, washing, shaving, fingernail and toenail care, etc. (Most of this I did handle with Dad, but eventually had someone come in for this toe and fingernail care).
- Assisting with dressing -- Can be 15 minutes in morning and/or evening.
- Shampoo and bathing – Assistance getting in the shower or bath. Help with actual bathing. The caregiver is usually present the entire time, not leaving the patient alone. Number of times per week should be discussed.
- Transferring - Examples: from chair, toilet, bed, into vehicle.
- Toileting - Different types of assistance may be needed. Especially important is dryness and cleanliness - for comfort and hygiene (for prevention of bacteria spreading). Discuss full details with the prospective caregiver.
- Medication – All medication assistance must be administered with strict adherence to doctors’ orders. No changes should be made without family and doctor approval. However, help can be as simple as assuring medication is taken, to preparation, to actual administration.
- Meal preparation and serving – Which meals and how many times per week. A nutritious menu must be discussed and approved, consistent with the patient’s dietary requirements.
- Mail and newspaper – Brought in daily. Decisions should be made regarding who will read and deal with the mail if the patient has vision or cognitive impairment.
- Housekeeping – Caregiver duties can include cleaning, making beds, doing dishes, laundry, ironing as needed, cleaning kitchen and bathroom, and especially maintaining sanitation, which includes regular garbage removal.
- Transportation – To and from appointments, stores, entertainment, adult day care.
- Errands and shopping – The patient may be able to go out with escort assistance, or errands may need to be done by the caregiver.
- Ambulation assistance – Whether the patient is able to walk or is confined to a wheelchair, it is important to exercise regularly. The doctor may have given guidelines for exercise, so discuss the type of walking or exercise needed and how frequently.
- Management of symptoms – If the patient suffers from an illness that causes pain, rashes, lesions, swelling, breathing difficulties, etc., the doctor’s recommendations for procedures must be discussed.
- Therapy – Either occupational or physical. This may be part of elderly home care, or the patient may go to an outside physical therapy facility. Some continuous care campuses have physical therapy on site.
- Emergency service – Important contact information is needed for both a senior home care service or elderly long-term care facility. Make sure you have an emergency contact sheet hanging on the refrigerator that lists the family contact, any serious elderly problems, primary care doctor, any specialists, hospital, pharmacy, etc. Discuss with the senior home care service whether the caregiver will administer CPR before or after dialing 911.
- Medical care – Caregiver duties provided by an RN or LPN, (or else staff in the facility) depending on the circumstances and as recommended by a doctor.
- Hospice care – Hospice care is usually in duration of 6 months or less, to keep patient physically and emotionally comfortable during transition period.
- Short-term respite care – a senior home care service can come in to give the family caregiver a break.
- Communicating – Both progress and any issues should be communicated by a healthcare service with the family.
- Companionship – Assisting with attendance at social events, escorting to adult day care, or the caregiver provides social activities such as reading aloud to the patient, playing games or doing crafts and hobbies.
....And if you need activity ideas
-- see about our books, below.
Activities Books
Are you looking for lots of ideas for activities and games? Well we have a couple of excellent Kindle books for you!
201 Fun! Senior Activities
"71 Fun Games for Seniors" -- Caregiver duties can involve a little entertainment. Want some great game ideas? Whether for the whole family, games to do alone, or ideas for activity directors, this Kindle book has load of games! Something for everyone and for just about every occasion. It contains lots of new games, plus many of those mentioned on our web site -- all nicely organized so you don't have to hunt all over. We have Holiday Games, Party Games, Mind Games, Dementia Games, Outdoor Games, and much more. It is thorough! (And you can read a Kindle book on your PC with a free download, without a Kindle device). So check it out on our Kindle page at:
71 Fun Games for Seniors
"Fun Party Themes for Seniors" -- I have a ton of parties in this book. Since major holiday parties are usually well-planned already by most folks, I don't go into those as much. What I do offer is all kinds of other unique themes for any time of year, outdoors or indoors, large groups or small. And to fit just about any budget. Many parties can be modified to work into other holidays as well. Plus, I include decorating ideas and actual projects, and many recipes (many are right from my Dad's famous recipe box).
Fun Party Themes for Seniors
The list above includes a lot of caregiver duties! My Dad did have many issues that took special care. But he was ambulatory and could also do his own grooming, eating, etc. It is a list to pay attention to so you don't take on more than you can handle and get burned out. Which can happen sooner than one thinks.
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