Being a family caregiver can certainly be a rewarding experience in many ways. It’s also a role that can present some challenges along the way, especially since there’s no how-to manual for caregiving. Still, there are some basic things most family caregivers do on a regular basis.
Assist with Personal Care Needs
One of the main things you’ll do as a family caregiver is help your senior loved one complete various personal care tasks. The extent to which you’ll need to do this will depend on your loved one’s capabilities and limitations. Personal care responsibilities typically involve:
• Bathing and grooming
• Dressing
• Toileting
Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable home care service. Families trust Assisting Hands Home Care to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.
Lend a Hand with Meal Prep
Cooking together is one way to lend a hand with meal prep that can allow your loved one to still actively prepare foods he or she likes while you provide a helping hand with kitchen-related tasks. Additional food-related things you may need to do as a family caregiver include:
• Helping with regular grocery shopping
• Encouraging your loved one to make healthy food choices
• Arranging frequently used foods, ingredients, and kitchen items in a way that keeps things easily accessible
Pay Attention to Health Issues
Older people are sometimes reluctant to admit they’re experiencing physical or mental issues that could be serious enough to require attention from the doctor. As a family caregiver, you can be observant and gently encourage your loved one to find out what’s going on so appropriate treatments can be recommended if you notice:
• Reduced mobility
• Signs of cognitive decline
• Unusual reactions that could be related to medications
Offer Mobility Assistance
If your loved one has existing mobility issues, he or she may need your help to get around and stay independent. You can do this by:
• Encouraging your loved one to use a walker or other mobility assistance devices
• Providing assistance when getting in and out of vehicles
• Removing potential fall hazards from the home
• Making adjustments to the home to make it easier to get around (e.g., installing a stair lift system or ramps by main entrances)
Portland 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.
Offer Companionship
Whether you’re doing craft projects together, going for daily walks to a local park, or simply sharing cherished memories, this is the part of the caregiving process that can give you a chance to really connect with your loved one as an adult.
Provide Appropriate Guidance
As your loved one gets older, he or she may need appropriate direction to successfully complete daily tasks. This is more likely to be the case if your loved one has dementia or a similar type of cognitive impairment. Understandably, it can be difficult to go through a type of role reversal where you suddenly become the one who is guiding and supervising your loved one. If the task becomes overwhelming at some point, you and your loved one may wish to consider your options with in-home care.
Aging in place can present a few challenges for seniors living with dementia. However, they can still live independently at home with the help of professional dementia care. Greater Portland families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide their elderly loved ones with mental and social stimulation, timely medication reminders, assistance with meal prep, and much more. Our caregivers are available around the clock to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life. If your loved one needs professional care, Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help. To hire a compassionate, dedicated caregiver, call us at 503-664-7934
