Whether you have an aging loved one who can no longer live alone or you’re considering a career as a caregiver, you want to know more about caregiver duties. You know that it’s more than sitting and talking with them in their homes, and it is. The duties of a caregiver are hard work, but the job or act of love can be rewarding. Each person who needs a caregiver is experiencing a different situation, so the caregiver’s job duties can vary. Explore some of the most common duties to get an overview of what’s required of you. 

Understanding the Role of a Caregiver 

The role of a caregiver is to provide support to another person who needs help with daily living activities due to injury, illness, or disability. Most caregivers are working with older individuals, but some work with young people who can’t live on their own or need help during the day. The caregiver is not a nurse and doesn’t provide any medical services, such as administering medication or changing out IV bags.

Another role a caregiver plays is to provide comfort and companionship. For many seniors and people with disability, they experience a sense of loneliness and isolation from the world around them. One of the caregiver’s duties is to provide friendship and a friendly ear when the person wants to talk or play a game together, when other duties aren’t in the way. 

Personal Care and Assistance 

The main duties of a caregiver are to provide assistance with daily activities and assist with personal care. The person in their care doesn’t require ongoing medical care, but help to remain at home that they can’t provide for themselves. Some of these caregiver job duties include:

Personal hygiene – 

Bathing

Brushing their teeth

Putting on deodorant

Help with cleaning after using the toilet

Getting dressed in the morning and at night

Light housekeeping

Running errands

Shopping

Assistance getting around the home

Companionship

Meal planning and prep

Laundry

Provide transportation

If you think about the things you do during the day, you can imagine the ways that you would provide care as a caregiver. Some people who require the services of a caregiver need more help than others. You need to be prepared to provide support for all daily activities. 

Managing Health and Medication

Most caregivers are not nurses or other types of healthcare professionals. They’re typically limited in the type and degree of help they can offer. Some of the most common caregiver duties they offer regarding health include:

Nutritious meals

Meeting dietary restrictions

Reminding the other person to take their medication

Noticing and reporting any declines in health or symptoms of health issues

Transportation to doctor’s appointments and other types of appointments involving the person’s health, such as physical therapy

Approved physical activities for exercise

Caregivers are with their clients daily, and they’re usually the first ones to notice when there’s a health concern. This can help the senior or person with a disability get the medical care they need more quickly. 

Contact Us at About You In Home Care to Learn More About Our Caregiving Services

At About You In Home Care, we understand that not every family has a member who can stay home with a senior parent to meet their needs. Our goal is to provide your senior loved ones and the family with the support you need. Our caregivers are experienced and highly trained. More than that, they love providing care for your loved one. Contact us today to learn more about our services.