On any given day, caregivers may have to fill out complex legal forms, help with personal hygiene tasks, and provide transportation to physical therapy sessions. Caregiving can be a wide-ranging and stress-inducing job, which is why you need life hacks. These time management methods are designed to make every day a little easier.
Use Caregiving Apps on Your Smartphone
Apps are a crucial component of any life-hacking regimen. The app iBiomed can help you track medical records, healthcare providers, daily medications, and more, which means you always have access to your loved one’s health information no matter where you are. Caregiver’s Touch is another great app. Using the simple interface, you can log medical information, adjust your schedule, and send the latest health updates to family members. Caregivers assisting seniors with Alzheimer’s may appreciate the app Balance, and those who can never decide what to make for dinner may enjoy the Tasty app.
Using apps is just one of the many ways caregivers can make their jobs easier and prevent burnout. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Amarillo, TX, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.
Keep Everything in Its Place
For caregivers, 10 minutes can make a lot of difference. You can squeeze a few spare minutes out of every day by minimizing the time you spend looking for lost objects. If you find yourself searching for your lost keys or misplaced wallet every morning, it’s time to establish specific places for essential objects. Maybe the keys can go on a ring next to the door, and the wallet can go in a bowl on the kitchen table. Make a habit of placing your belongings in their designated places, and eventually it will become second nature.
If you’re caring for an elderly loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Families shouldn’t have to worry about finding reliable home care. Home Care Assistance is a leading provider of elderly home care. We offer a proprietary program called the Balanced Care Method, which uses holistic methods to promote senior health, our caregivers and Care Managers are available 24/7, and all of our in-home care services are backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Spend Less Time at the Grocery Store
Many seniors have specific dietary needs, and scouring the aisles for the perfect gluten-free breakfast cereal can take time. If you’re wasting time at the store, it’s time to implement some handy life hacks. First, never shop without a list, as that’s a surefire way to waste time and forget necessities. You may also want to snap a photo of the inside of your refrigerator before leaving for the store. If you can’t remember if you need milk, you can simply check the photo.
You should also choose one or two grocery stores to patronize and learn their layouts. If you don’t have to wander the aisles looking for food, you’ll save time and cut down on impulse buys. Subscription services can also be a great help. Keep track of the items your household uses the most, like toilet paper, shampoo, and laundry detergent, and purchase them through a subscription service. For example, Amazon offers a 15 percent discount on products purchased via a subscription.
Don’t Multitask
For caregivers with seemingly endless to-do lists, multitasking can seem like the natural solution. However, trying to accomplish multiple tasks at once can be an impediment to productivity, as it makes people feel scattered when they need to be focused.
To make the most of your days, focus on one task at a time. For instance, schedule your loved one’s upcoming optometrist appointment before filling out healthcare forms. You can also optimize workflow by organizing your tasks into categories like “essential,” “medium,” and “to be delegated” and then tackling the essential tasks first.
Caring for an aging adult can be challenging. If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality in-home care, Amarillo Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age. Call us today at (806) 803-9991 to discuss how we can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is being cared for with professionalism and compassion.