John’s elderly dad was declining with age. He knew it was time for him to step in and assist his father. When he talked to his father’s doctor about providing his dad with some help, the doctor used the term “family caregiver” to refer to John’s new role. John wasn’t familiar with the term and really had no idea what to expect as he started helping his father.
Caregiver Syracuse NY – What Kinds of Things Can You Expect to Do as a Caregiver?
John’s situation certainly isn’t unusual. Many people find themselves thrust into the role of caregiver unexpectedly. They have no idea what the job might entail and sometimes find themselves facing challenges they never thought they would. If you’re new to caregiving, you may be wondering what kinds of tasks you might find yourself doing.
Below are some common tasks you may be called upon to do as a family caregiver.
Household Tasks
The average caregiver spends approximately 13 full days each month performing tasks that keep the home running. Some of the things you might have to do for an aging relative are:
Cooking: Many seniors aren’t able to cook healthy, balanced meals for themselves. They might lack the skills or have physical disabilities that make certain parts of cooking too difficult. In the case of seniors with dementia, cooking may be unsafe.
Cleaning: There are lots of things that can make it hard for seniors to keep their house clean. Arthritic knees can make the bending and movement involved too painful. Frail seniors might lack the strength required to lug a vacuum cleaner or wash a floor.
Errands: Many caregivers do the weekly grocery shopping and drive the senior to the places they need to go.
Daily Activities
Most caregivers spend about 6 days out of the month assisting an older adult with necessary daily activities, including using the bathroom, bathing, eating, getting dressed, walking, and grooming.
Health Care Duties
Caregivers typically spend about 13 hours per month doing things that are necessary to ensuring the senior receives the care they need. This includes scheduling medical appointments and doing paperwork associated with insurance and financial matters. Caregivers also spend time researching the condition the older adult has, helping them to better equipped to provide care.
If all of this sounds like more than you can handle on your own, you should know that you don’t have to do it alone. By contacting a home care agency, you can hire professional help to assist you with all of your older family member’s non-medical needs.
Sources: https://www.caregiver.org/caregiver-statistics-demographics
