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Caregiving for Senior Citizens


We are used to taking care of loved ones in the comfort of our homes. However, when a caregiver is assigned it is pertinent to understand how they can extend assistance in the absence of children.




Planning Ahead


We should speak with our parents to understand the kind of help they think they need and how they’d like to get it. It can be difficult at times to plan ahead because one may not know how situations unfold in days to come.

We should ask these questions: Is our loved one able to stay at home alone with help from time to time, or would it be better to provide them with full time caregiver assistance.


Types of Care


A caregiver may have to provide different kinds of support depending on the needs:


Personal care: Caregiver can help with bathing, dressing, grooming and other personal care. For aging parents, it is a role reversal because they’re used to taking care of their kids.

Household help: Caregiver can also assist in cleaning, laundry, and yard work. Food also can be a key part of caregiving. An elderly person may need help for grocery shopping and preparing healthy meals.

Emotional support: An elderly person look forward to spending time with his/ her children just talking and by way of emotional support. They may also expect to rely on regular visits by children so they don’t get lonely. Sometimes older people can easily forget things or get grumpy. This is when the role of caregiver becomes important in the absence of children.

Health care: A caregiver may need help with their medical requirements like making sure they take medicines or go with them for doctor’s appointments. To make it easier, one can prepare pill boxes that have each day’s pills ready for a whole week. A caregiver can assist by taking a senior citizen for doctor visits to ask questions and take notes.


Understand Health Issues


There’s a chance of some health concerns as well. Older people often have issues like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, depression etc.


It’s important that the caregiver is aware of such issues. One should be able to spot symptoms if things get worse. The caregiver should be better prepared for doctor visits to give updates on their health.


Make the Home Safe


Whether parents are is staying in their home or their children make safety a priority. Take steps to reduce their risk of falling, and other basic safety measures like these:

  • Remove throw rugs.

  • Place non-skid strips on hardwood and tile floors.

  • Add safety rails in showers and tubs and near the toilet.

  • Reduce water temperature to below 120 F (48.9 C).

  • Move furniture and clear clutter to create clear, wide paths.

  • Place nightlights throughout the home.

  • Cover stairs with non-skid strips or carpet, and install nightlights at the top

  • and bottom.


Know That Plans Can Change


One may have a care plan today that’s working well. But it may change as well. And if a caregiver is injured or is down with an illness like COVID-19, a backup plan has to be in place. Choose someone who can take care of your loved one if you can’t.


Take Care of oneself


The caregiver has to take care of oneself so that he/ she more focused and do a better job. There are a few things that one can do to stay on top of the game:

  • Make time for sleep. A daily routine can help having sleep on time.

  • Don’t forget to eat. A caregiver should also have meals at regular intervals.

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