What Services Can a Caregiver Assist With?

For many individuals, aging in the comfort of one’s home is the best outcome. Over the course of years, or even decades, you’ve built a life among the walls of your home. Each piece of furniture and nick-knack has a story. You’ve watched your grandchildren grow here, and maybe even your children. Leaving all of that behind would be heartbreaking.

But as you age, certain activities of daily living aren’t as simple as they once were. Cooking may no longer be desirable. You might struggle to remember which medications to take and when. And when certain personal care tasks—like bathing, grooming, and dressing—come into question, you might have to start considering whether or not staying at home is possible.

With the help of an at-home caregiver, it is. But what services can a caregiver assist with?

At-home caregivers can help with all your non-medical needs

It is important to note that an at-home caregiver cannot assist with any medical care needs. They cannot administer medication, take blood pressure, or perform any medical procedures.

An at-home caregiver can, however, assist with your activities of daily living. These are the essential self-care tasks that you may have determined aren’t so easy for you any longer. These care services include…

Personal care

Personal care is probably the most common activity of daily living that seniors call upon the aid of a caregiver for. Getting in and out of the shower can pose safety concerns. Crouching down and getting up from the toilet can be physically taxing. Even washing your hair can be a struggle due to joint problems.

With an at-home caregiver, you don’t have to worry about your personal hygiene falling by the wayside. They gladly offer quiet, dignified support that helps you look and feel your best. They’ll even assist with shaving or styling your hair in anticipation of holiday parties.

Meal preparation

After decades of preparing meals for you and your loved ones, you may no longer feel the desire to cook. Alternatively, the process of coming up with a meal, cooking, and cleaning up may be daunting. You may opt to heat meals in the microwave instead of cooking them yourself. While that might be easier, it often leads to a lack of nutrients.

Your home caregiver will make sure you’re eating meals that are as good for you as they are delicious. From planning the meal, to cooking it, to cleaning up afterward, your caregiver can take away all the stress of cooking and leave you with delicious leftovers.

Medication reminders

Between medical conditions and supplementary needs, many seniors are forced to take a wide variety of different pills. Some are only taken at certain times of the day, some are taken multiple times, and some have to be taken with food. With so many different conditions, it can be hard to discern between what medications have to be taken, and when.

Instead of stressing about all these intricacies, let your at-home caregiver take over managing your medication reminders. They can help create a system with pill organizers and check-boxes, or simply create a series of reminders on your cellphone. They’ll work with you to set the plan that is best for you.

What other services can an at-home caregiver assist with?

While the above three activities of daily living are probably the most common reasons seniors hire a caregiver, your at-home care aid can help with so much more.

• Light housekeeping: vacuuming, mopping, and dusting
• Laundry: sorting, washing, and putting away clean clothes
• Errands: grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, going to the post office
• Brain games and activities: providing and partaking in games and activities that stimulate the mind
• Companionship and social interaction: offer engaging conversation, a listening ear, or a companion to engage in social activities with

Is an at-home caregiver right for me?

Deciding whether or not an at-home caregiver is right for you is a very personal choice. There are certain factors to consider, such as whether or not you require assistance with medical activities. However, if medical conditions are not your primary concern, an at-home caregiver may be the right choice for you.

Is your home senior-friendly, or do you need help getting around? Do you need assistance fulfilling errands because you can’t drive? Are you isolated from friends and family at home? Do you find yourself exhausted by tasks like cooking and cleaning? If you answered yes to any of these, an at-home caregiver may be right for you.

Home Care Powered by AUAF has served seniors in the greater Chicago area for nearly 30 years. Throughout their time with us, each of our caregivers receives ongoing training to ensure they provide their clients with the best service possible.

If you think you could benefit from home health care services, call us at 773-274-9262. We can answer your questions like “what services can a caregiver assist with?” and so much more.