When most people think of caregiving, they associate it with tasks like managing medications or taking their senior loved ones to doctor visits. Though these sorts of duties are very important, they aren’t the only things family caregivers do. Family caregivers do all sorts of things to boost their loved ones’ mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Here are some of the many lesser-known caregiving tasks.
Assisting with Transfers
Seniors sometimes fall when doing things like getting out of bed or moving from a wheelchair to a couch, so having a little help is useful. If your loved one has any mobility issues at all, you may end up repeatedly helping him or her move around between the bed, chairs, the bathtub, and more. This might seem like a relatively thankless task, but it’s very important. Assisting with transfers helps seniors stay safe while also providing the changes of scenery they need to stay positive each day.
Amarillo in-home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
Helping with Housekeeping
An important part of maintaining a senior’s health is creating a healthy environment. Ignoring housework can cause dust, bacteria, and mold to build up inside the home, and living in an unsanitary environment increases the risk of infections, breathing problems, and other issues. Therefore, family caregivers need to try to make time for tasks like mopping and dusting.
Dressing
Even seniors who are mostly independent often have difficulty with dressing. Activities like buttoning clothing can be challenging with arthritic fingers, while lifting arms to put on a shirt may put too much stress on shoulder joints. Step in to help when your loved one doesn’t have the flexibility, balance, or mobility to get dressed. Assisting with dressing allows your loved one to retain a sense of style and dignity, and it also ensures he or she is properly dressed for chilly or warm temperatures.
Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading senior home care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.
Entertaining
As a caregiver, your effect on your loved one’s emotional health is just as important as your impact on his or her physical wellbeing. Caregivers spend a lot of time each day ensuring their loved ones remain happy and entertained. Entertainment can include things like taking your loved one to see friends, setting up a painting station, or just helping him or her find a particular television channel. Just spending time together each day can ensure your loved one feels cared for.
Keeping Track of Medical Symptoms
Make sure your loved one stays healthy by simply being observant. Often, family caregivers are the first to notice potential problems like lack of urination, forgetfulness, or hand tremors. You may want to consider keeping a journal where you note any potential problems so you can advocate for your loved one to get the care he or she needs.
Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Amarillo live-in care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or is recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional live-in caregivers from Home Care Assistance to enhance his or her quality of life. If your loved one needs professional home care, Home Care Assistance is here to help. To hire a compassionate, dedicated caregiver, call us at (806) 803-9991 today.