Common Caregiver Support Responsibilities

Has someone approached you about being a caregiver to a loved one? Have caregiver support responsibilities for an aging parent or special needs child fallen to you?

Common Caregiver Support Responsibilities

There are several common caregiver support responsibilities you should expect. Many of these are referred to as activities of daily living (ADLs). ADLs are actions that most of us take for granted when we are healthy but become burdensome when we are ill. As we age, ADLs become more challenging and require help.

Bathing/grooming/dressing

One of the most common caregiver support responsibilities is helping your loved one to bathe, brush their hair, trim their facial hair, and dress. Depending on your loved one’s condition, you may need to move a bath chair or bench in and out of the tub or shower or help them sponge bathe.

If your loved one uses a bedside commode, you will need to clean it after each use or move it to stand over the toilet so they can easily access it.

Cooking and menu planning

The meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking may fall to you. You will need to learn if your loved one is on any special diets and plan a menu accordingly.

Can you prepare a meal that might last a few days in the refrigerator? Bulk meals make it easier to microwave and serve.

Laundry and house cleaning

Light housecleaning and laundry do not need to take up your entire day. Research how to straighten a house in only fifteen minutes a day and create a routine to ensure you hit each room during the month.

If your loved one lives alone, they may only have one load of laundry per week not including towels and bedding. Try to have extra mattress pads and bedding available in case of accidents. One small load of laundry a day is much more manageable than several loads on the weekends.

Medication management

People with chronic conditions require various medications to manage symptoms. You will manage the drugs and ensure each medication is given at the proper time. This might be easier if you use a daily pill box that splits daily into Morning, Noon, and Night.

If your loved one is prone to hospital stays, keep an updated medication list available for hospital staff. You might also need to schedule doctor appointments and manage the finances for your loved one, keeping track of copays and deductibles.

Companionship

As a caregiver, you can experience isolation, and so can your loved one. Providing companionship, conversation, and laughter might be the best medicine you could offer. Find common ground, talk, and attentively listen to your loved one tell stories and share memories. You might be the only one who listens to your loved one speak.

If your loved one can, try to get them out of the house and around people periodically. This might include a trip to a restaurant after a doctor’s appointment. Invite family and friends to visit if your loved one cannot go out.

Finding support in your area

Caregiving is not easy, but caring for people we love is an honor. With caregiver support, you can learn how to balance caring for a loved one and maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health. Contact our office today at Laguna Christian Counseling in California to book an appointment with a counselor in Laguna.