What is a Senior Caregiver?
A senior caregiver is someone who looks after someone’s health and wellbeing if they are not capable of doing so themselves. If your loved one struggles with mobility, memory loss, illnesses, or chronic conditions, a caregiver will monitor and provide help for seniors through their daily tasks and activities.
What’s the difference between a caregiver and caretaker?
The main difference between a caregiver and caretaker is that a caregiver is usually a family member, friend, or professional that takes on the responsibility of caring for a senior’s everyday needs. A caretaker is an employed individual who looks after someone’s goods, assets, animals, etc.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Senior Caregiver
Assist with Transfer and Mobility
A concern of most seniors is their ability to move around safely. It is important that one’s caregiver is aware of these risks, and takes the necessary precautions to assist them. Consider purchasing walking aids such as a walker, scooter, or cane. To ensure your loved one is safe 24/7, also consider purchasing a wearable medical alert system to receive medical assistance at a touch of a button. LifeStation offers a variety of medical alert systems that will fit your loved one’s needs and give you peace of mind.
Prepare Meals
As we get older, things we used to do everyday such as cooking, get increasingly more difficult. As a caregiver, you want to make sure that your patient or loved one continues to eat three meals a day. Make it a priority to go grocery shopping and meal prep for them so that they receive proper nutrition.
Help with House Upkeep
Cleaning and staying organized for those who are struggling mentally or physically can be challenging. If your loved one still is living in their home, it is important to help them maintain their house such as doing the dishes, doing laundry, mowing the lawn, etc.
Assist with Basic Needs
If your loved one is struggling with mobility, everyday basic needs can be difficult for them to do on their own. To maintain their hygiene and health, you may need to assist them with bathing, eating, going to the bathroom, etc. It may be hard for your loved one to accept someone helping them with these things, but it’s important to monitor closely. You may want to consider a senior living situation for them so that these needs are taken care of daily.
Create a Plan
Taking care of someone as they lose their ability to do everyday activities can be challenging for both the caregiver and the senior. There are many options that are available to ensure they are getting what they need in order to stay safe and healthy. As you are making these plans, consider senior living facilities, hiring an at-home caregiver, or a LifeStation mobile medical alert system for 24/7 medical assistance everywhere they go. Based on the needs of your loved one, it’s important to recognize the assistance they require to live a quality life.
For more information on medical alert systems, check out LifeStation products to find the perfect system for your loved one.
