As a caregiver, you should look for new ways to make your aging loved one feel safer, healthier, and more comfortable at home. You also need to strike a balance between your caregiving duties and personal life to prevent caregiver burnout. These seven life hacks can help you provide the best possible care for your loved one without overexerting yourself.
1. Use Your Downtime to Prepare Meals
Many people don’t realize how much time and money they can save by preparing their meals at the start of the week. Even if your loved one prefers fresh meals, you might still be able to carry out some prep work when he or she is napping or when you have a few hours to spare. Tasks such as printing out ingredient lists, cutting up vegetables, and marinating meat can all be accomplished in your downtime.
Preparing nutritious meals while helping seniors with daily activities can be overwhelming for family caregivers. Families who need help caring for a senior loved one can turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Tucson, Arizona, elderly home care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
2. Turn Your Smartphone into a Caregiving Tool
Your phone can become an invaluable tool if you know how to use it correctly. There are a wide array of apps available that can help you create grocery lists, set reminders, and write notes. Many companies have also created mobile apps that can track a senior’s vital stats or automatically order medication when the last batch runs low.
3. Organize with Bowls
Placing bowls near the front door or on the side of the bed gives your loved one a place to keep his or her personal belongings. If something goes missing, you can narrow your search to a handful of bowls instead of turning the entire home upside down.
4. Invest in a Label Maker
A label maker is an inexpensive tool that could make your life less stressful if you use it regularly. You can use a label marker to organize the pantry, box up your loved one’s unused belongings, and track expiration dates for food in the refrigerator. Once you have labeled everything, organizing and finding items may become easy for you.
5. Take Advantage of Delivery Services
Getting your loved one out of the home as often as possible can be good for him or her, but there will be days when running errands is completely out of the question. Signing up for a food delivery service allows you to get the products you need within just hours. Both online and brick and mortar stores now offer same day delivery services for several items.
Consider hiring a professional caregiver if your loved one needs help with daily tasks or you need some time off to run errands. Whether your elderly loved one needs part-time assistance with basic household chores or you need a break from your caregiving duties, the Tucson respite care experts at Home Care Assistance are here to help. All of our respite care services are backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts.
6. Pack an Appointment Bag
Going for checkups and other appointments can be dull for seniors and their caregivers. Instead of spending the time in silence, you should have a bag filled with items that will keep you and your loved one entertained. Books, magazines, puzzles, or even a small DVD player can help you pass the time in the waiting room.
7. Meditate with Your Loved One
Regular meditation can provide you and your loved one with many benefits, including increased mental clarity and lower stress levels. Carrying out meditative activities with your loved one could enhance your relationship with him or her and make you a better caregiver.
Hiring professional caregivers is another important life hack family members should consider. Professionally trained caregivers can assist seniors with an array of daily tasks and offer respite to family members. One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that offer high-quality home care. Tucson families can turn to Home Care Assistance for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour live-in care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties. Call us at (520) 276-6555 to schedule a free in-home consultation.