What are the Duties and Responsibilities of Caregivers?
What are the Duties and Responsibilities of Caregivers?
Imagine this: Almost without realizing it, you have slipped into the role of a caregiver. You used to drop by your loved one’s home once a week to help manage the bills or show them how to tag someone in a photo on Facebook. And you enjoyed helping them out. Sorting out the fast pace of the 21st century was a great reason to spend time together, simply enjoying each other’s company.
Now, you make the trip to their house every day. They are determined to stay put in their own home as they age, but their needs have changed. Getting behind the wheel of their car has become a serious risk. They need help putting on their clothes. They forgot they had something cooking and caused a small fire on the stove.
At this point, your loved one and you have a problem: You know that they are not as sharp as they once were, and are concerned for their well-being, but aren’t sure what to do about it or how to start. When you understand that you are not alone and there is help available, the role of caregiver can be more rewarding.
Town Square Perry Hall is a top adult day care center in Baltimore County, built to give our members a safe, engaging, and fun day using our unique and clinically-backed reminiscence therapy model. View our FAQ page to learn more or contact us today.
What percentage of Americans are caregivers?
According to the National Institute on Aging, nearly 15 million Americans provide unpaid care to an older adult. Caregivers who administer substantial care, like managing medications and coordinating activities, are more likely to develop stress-related health concerns.
Why is caregiving stressful?
Most caregivers have families and jobs of their own. Caring for an elderly loved one means being constantly on call. The amount of time and effort required to keep your loved one safe and in good health while running your own life can become overwhelming.
What causes caregiver burnout?
Neglecting to prioritize your own needs can cause negative effects on your mental health and the other responsibilities in your life, which then may pile up, causing greater stress in a feedback loop. It is imperative that you ask for help when you need it, and spend time with your own family and friends.
What are some duties and responsibilities of caregivers?
- Transportation – A driver’s license is a symbol of independence for many people. Older drivers may have a negative reaction when they are told they can no longer drive. Being a chauffeur for your elderly loved one can be part of your caregiving responsibility.
- Prescription medication management – While your aging loved one may be able to take their prescriptions without your help, you may need to act like a nurse and remind them at what time and how many pills to take, and why they are taking them.
- Hygiene and personal care – From brushing their teeth to using the restroom, seniors often have difficulty with basic hygiene. You may be required to become a beautician and wash and style their hair or trim their nails.
- Home-cooked meals – Shopping for healthy food and preparing it for your loved one may also require you to act as a chef.
- Managing finances – You may perform accounting services, making sure their bills are paid and their banking is in order. Internet fraud targeting the elderly is also on the rise. The FBI estimates that senior citizens lose more than $3 billion each year due to financial scams like romance and lottery scams.
- Socialization – Your elderly loved one may miss the company of their friends who have passed on or are in similar housebound situations, so you may be the main provider of entertainment and conversation.
How can Town Square ease the burden of your caretaking duties?
Town Square is an innovative adult day care center in Perry Hall fully designed after the familiar setting of old-fashioned, midcentury America, a formative era for many of today’s seniors. We are a stimulating and trusted place where older adults can spend the day, and caregivers have time for themselves knowing that their loved ones are in excellent hands.
We have reliable third-party providers that can help with transportation from home to Town Square and back. A qualified nurse is part of our staff, and Town Square can always assist with necessary medications. Town Square also offers coordinated care so your loved one’s own doctor or specialist can perform medical services on-site.
Most importantly, Town Square is packed with new friends who share similar memories, and fun activities that provide your loved one with a day they look forward to while giving you a well-earned break. Contact Town Square to learn about our revolutionary model of reminiscence adult day care therapy and schedule a tour today.
