Roles and Responsibilities of a Caregiver for Seniors

While everyone values an independent life, there comes a time when we all need a little help to complete our day-to-day tasks. For example, as we age, our physical and mental capacities decline and we may not be able to manage our lives as efficiently as we used to.
Aside from that, certain age-related illnesses, like dementia and osteoporosis, as well as the loss of cognitive function, may necessitate the help of a caregiver. Their job will differ depending on each senior’s needs. Nonetheless, their roles and responsibilities can be broadly categorized into three different groups. If you are looking to become a caregiver for seniors, or you want to hire one, this post will help you.

Senior Caregivers – Understanding Their Roles and Responsibilities

One dictionary defines caregivers as ‘people who willingly care for someone who is ill or disabled’. However, when it comes to caregiving for seniors, their responsibilities are more challenging and focused than many people may realize.
Let’s take a look at their role in senior care and how it varies from one situation to another.

Seniors Needing Physical Assistance

Irrespective of whether they are coping with old age also have chronic age-related diseases like arthritis, diabetes or Alzheimer’s, seniors often need physical assistance. While some physical needs are medical (and serious), others are more generic.
Duties involving senior medical needs include:

• Keeping track of medical appointments.
• Organizing and giving medication.
• Checking for symptoms of any existing illnesses or physical conditions.
• Dressing wounds and checking on recovery.
• Assessing pain levels and providing necessary relief (through massage and/or medication).

Duties involving non-medical senior physical needs include:

• Cooking food and doing basic chores like laundry, housecleaning and grocery shopping.
• Assisting with daily personal care, including bathing, grooming, toileting, and exercise.
• Assisting with their physical movement and transportation.
• Ensuring their safety.

Seniors Needing Emotional Care

As people age, they experience loneliness, helplessness and anxiety. While such emotions are normal, coping with them is often difficult without help. If not addressed, they can impact seniors’ overall wellbeing and lead to depression and/or suicide. Caregivers should offer their support and reinforce positive emotions when older adults feel negative emotions.
Some of their duties involving senior emotional care are:

• Providing adequate companionship and love.
• Giving lots of attention and helping the care receiver realize their self-worth.
• Talking, building emotional connections and making their charge feel wanted.
• Engaging in fun activities with the senior, such as dancing, singing, listening to music, or taking a brisk walk (if their health permits).
• Encouraging them to socialize and stay active.
• Making seniors realize that they still have a purpose.

Seniors Needing Practical Care

Caregivers also need to cater to their seniors’ practical needs, such as checking on insurance policies, paying utility bills or maintaining family obligations.
Their practical care duties include:

• Accompanying them to doctor appointments, cultural events, railway stations and airports.
• Paying bills on their behalf.
• Managing their financial matters, including insurance claims.
• Helping them to make important day-to-day decisions.
• Planning and organizing visits to/from friends and family.

Ultimately, old age is another stage of life, like childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Everyone experiences aging in their own way. From changes in perspectives and personal relationships to physical and psychological health, everything in the life of a senior undergoes significant change. Responsible caregivers can offer much of the support required to help seniors live a fulfilling life.