Being a person who takes of older people is almost as hard as being old. You’re basically gliding through and witnessing old age firsthand without even having reached that stage of life yourself. It sounds hard and it is! But the inner satisfaction brought by a job centered around your selflessness is unmatched. Another positive aspect of choosing this as a profession is that you can always get a caregiver insurance plan to give you a mental shield against needless worries.
At the end of the day, a senior caregiver knows that they have made a difference in the lives of people that are wholly or to some extent dependent on them. Unlike other jobs, senior caregiving doesn’t have concrete rules because senior caregivers are caring for people and everyone has their own way of doing that. However, there are some common principles that every senior caregiver must adhere to, in addition to their own unique way of caregiving.
Responsibilities of Senior Caregivers
Emotional/ Mental Duties
Be Emphatic
Senior caregiving may take a toll on the caregiver, especially when a patient’s condition isn’t good. We’re only human and this might make our attitudes negative, which a number of times come off as resentment towards the patient. There is no need to beat yourself up about it or think of yourself as a selfish person if it happens. You’re doing one of the most selfless things ever. Remember that no one can escape old age and that the patient probably already feels like a burden. Empathy can go a long way in helping a caregiver cope with stress and enable them to be better at what they do.
Be Present
With old age, most people care more about having a companion to talk to than their own health. A caregiver even spending a few minutes making genuine conversation can go a long way in making the patient feel much better.
Medical Support Responsibilities
Make Custom Care Plans
Every senior patient has unique needs as their physical and medical conditions differ. A caregiver must always remember that one plan that showed amazing results may not necessarily work for another. Carefully observe every senior person and craft a plan according to their specific requirements. This will also ultimately make your job easier.
Provide Medical Assistance
Almost every senior person suffers from one or other medical problem. It is the duty of a caregiver to notice if a patient feels uneasy and offer appropriate medical help if they are able. If the problem is bigger, the senior caregiver should contact a doctor. Timely medical assistance is to older people what caregiver insurance is to caregivers – they help us when we most need them.
Review Progress
No matter how old a person is, a senior caregiver must always strive to improve their condition. It may be general health or the ability to walk a few steps without assistance. As they notice some progress, their custom plans should also be reviewed according to the same.
Track Prescribed Medicine Intake
Most old people are on medications and it is the senior caregiver who should always remember the schedule and administer medicine intake accordingly.
Other Caretaking Duties
Being a caretaker may take a toll on people sometimes, and it’s okay to look out for your interests as well. One way to do this is through caregiver insurance. If you’re interested to know more about it,
click here. The following are the other needs that the caregiver needs to fulfil:
Assist with Daily Needs
Old people are much like children, not just in their temperaments but also in their need for other adults to help in fulfilling their daily necessities. It may be hard for a senior person to even walk or get up from their bed, which of course is what a senior caregiver must help with and more.
Keep Track of Nutrition
For old people, nutrition is one of the most important things to track. Their digestion becomes extremely sensitive and it is better to serve a healthy mix of nutritious meals as approved by the caregiver.
Maintain Cleanliness
Old people usually spend most of their days sedentary and understandably are unable to clean their surroundings. A healthy environment is essential for any patient to get better and seniors are no exception. Every caregiver is expected to keep their patient’s room clean along with regularly changing the sheets etc.
Keep the Patient Mobile
Mobility is important for any human being, even for those in the last stages of their lives. Even if a person cannot move, they deserve to be mobile and at least see a different view other than their rooms. This is a humane way of caring for an old person, beyond just treating them in their rooms.
Conclusion
Senior caregiving isn’t a job for the faint of heart. It requires an immense amount of selflessness and an ability to be kind beyond the average person.
