by The “Population Reference Bureau” indicates that the American population will comprise roughly “100 million citizens over the age of 65 by 2060.” Most of the senior community prefers to live out their golden years independently in their own homes.
That can mean an influx of caregivers as the baby boomers thrive with extended lifespans lived on their terms.
Caregiving is a broad category, with virtually any compassionate adult acting in that capacity. Often an individual’s adult children or other family members will take over as primary caregivers as the person progresses in age. These duties are vast based on the senior’s capabilities, needs, and health.
Each person’s care plan is unique, with some requiring trained in home caregivers depending on their circumstances, like those experiencing dementia or other severe health conditions. Consider the duties many caregivers must be prepared to tend to when assisting a senior in their home.
What Duties Are Common When Assisting The Elderly With In-Home Caregiving Services
Whether a family member or a trained professional, assisting the elderly with in-home caregiving can be both rewarding and also challenging. Seniors eventually grow to depend on this person for their well-being, presenting a lot of pressure on the person in that position.
Depending on the situation, seniors can require different tasks from their caregivers. Let’s review a few duties often expected with the position.
· Personal care/basic needs
As people progress in each, it becomes challenging to perform routine activities of daily living, which can include the essentials that keep us comfortable daily. That can mean grooming, assisting with dressing, bathing, and helping with using the bathroom or if they become ill.
The priority is ensuring the person’s dignity remains intact and that they are treated with empathy and without judgment. It’s not easy for older adults to ask others to help them with things they used to do without difficulty or want to do independently.
It hurts their pride. It’s up to caregivers to offer optimum care and give back a sense of quality to their life. Learn details on caregivers providing quality homecare at https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/home-care/info-2019/providing-homecare.html.
· Light housekeeping/maintenances
Many caregivers will be involved with household maintenance and upkeep. That can mean a number of tasks, including keeping the home clean, changing out lightbulbs, decluttering, and ensuring their environment is tidy and organized to retain physical and mental wellness.
When the house is free of dust, germs, and allergens, there’s less chance of illness. Keeping things orderly and running smoothly helps to prevent the person from sinking into depression or developing anxiety or stress.
· Monitoring health needs and assisting with healthcare
Many caregivers don’t have a medical license, which is unnecessary in being a caregiver. It is necessary to make sure the elderly individual remains consistent with the wellness regimen. That can mean medication reminders, picking up prescriptions, assessing blood sugar, and on.
A senior could require periodic massages due to suffering from fibromyalgia symptoms. This will allow relief of muscle soreness and assist with reducing the pain. Some could require in-home physical therapy following surgery.
They might attempt to forego these exercises; it’s up to a caregiver to keep them accountable for practicing and watch them as they perform.
· Mobility
Motor skills grow more challenging as age progresses. Transitioning from the toilet, out of the shower or tub, or from the car can become difficult. Some seniors use assistive devices, including wheelchairs, canes, and walkers.
The caregiver is responsible for ensuring safety with mobility and that the movements are not creating instances of pain or the potential for an injury. The lack of mobility doesn’t mean these people want to be housebound; quite the opposite.
Elderly individuals want to get out and enjoy life as much or even more so than the next person. Not doing so will evolve into depression. It’s essential to pay attention in the surrounding area for fall hazards in the home and when out. These can include throw rugs or electrical cords. Go here for guidance on learning when it’s time for home help.
Final Thought
Seniors don’t want to ask anyone to help them. Their goal is to remain independent to the end. It’s crushing for them when it becomes apparent that they can’t safely perform basic activities of daily living.
When a caregiver comes along to assist, this person must have exceptional compassion with a priority for embracing the older adult’s dignity and uplifting their confidence above all the other duties.
