I enjoy making meals for my clients. Their meals are comprised of items from their refrigerator and pantry. As a caregiver, you hope the choices they make are healthy. I have a client that loves her moring meal the most.
Bagels, oatmeal, grapes, and apples are just a few of the client’s healthy choices. Every day that I take care of her, my first question when she wakes up is” What are we eating today?”.
Many of the clients I help would make healthier choices but they can’t afford it. Living on a small fixed income translates to empty fridges and pantry. I enjoy coming to the client’s homes and cooking for them.
picture taken by me of a healthy meal for a special lady.Another example of healthy meal, picture taken by me.
COVID-19 is only one of many illnesses that can affect the elderly. A great way to combat the germs is to wash your hands often with antibacterial soap, any brand. The client and the caregiver should both be washing their hands.
Step 1- Wet your hands completely under running clean WARM water. Then add some soap to both hands, I prefer antibacterial soap such as dial.
Step 2- Lather the soap very well, covering your hands, wrist, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
Step 3- Hands should be scrubbed for at least 20 seconds, as you scrub the grime, dirt, and germs will loosen. My granddaughters sing their ABC’s while they clean their hands just to make it fun.
Step 4- Rinse your hands really good getting all the soap and grim off. Drowning the germs away as we protect ourselves, families and clients as the COVID-19 runs amuck.
Step 5- Dry both hands very well with a fresh towel or paper towel. Try to not touch faucets and doorknobs as you exit the bathroom.
Please wash your hands often and correctly to fight Covid-19 and many other illnesses to protect everyone. I am working with clients everyday and washing my hands several times a day. We are washing our hands when we get to the home when we leave the home, in between different care and to be honest sometimes just because it has been a little while.
Until next time be safe and wash your hands.
Just a colorful reminder to wash the germs away, picture provided by goggle image.Five steps to clean hands. Picture provided by goggle image.
Many aspects of being a caregiver are important and necessary but the most important is to be show up for every shift. These people are counting on us, caregivers to be there. They need a bath, supper or maybe help with their medicine.
Small steps the night before can help you to be on time for your shift. Filling your gas tank the night before, no chance of getting stuck on the side of the road with a fuel light reminder beeping.Another great idea is leaving a few minutes early just in case traffic is heavy or there is a road closure.
Go to bed on time and get up on time will help make sure you get to your shift on time. Don’t hit snooze or watch an extra show because either way it can make you late. Clients count on us to show up so go to bed early and show up for the.
Caregivers have many jobs and taking care of the client’s skin is so important. Here are just a few Tips that I would offer to anyone caring for a elderly loved one or client.
1.Try to not over shower, I know that sounds crazy but their skin is sensitive and excessive showers can strain the skin along with the chance of damage to their skin. The skin can tear easily and cause wounds very easily.
2. Don’t use soaps or lotions that have strong fragrances. Always rinse the skin very well also to make sure all soap is removed.
3.Make sure the person drinks plenty of water,hydration helps the skin. Also put lotion on after they take a shower or bath. That is another from of hydration.
Taking care of the clients skin has health benefits but it also makes them just feel good. A warm shower or bath with a little lotion and cold drink of water is a great day for your clients.
Some of the duties as a caregiver are charting or writing care notes.The company the caregiver is employed with will require documentation. They will want to know what you did all day such as I feed the client or helped to the restroom. It is also where you will note things such as the client not feeling well or skin break down.
The care notes are also given to the medical insurance company so the company you work for will get paid also.
The care note will also serve as a back up time sheet, proof you were at the clients home. The caregiver must clock in on a tablet or phone provided by the insurance company but we all know technology can fail. So the care note will make sure you get paid because the client signs the note as well.
Eating a balanced and healthy diet can be fun. As we get older our diet becomes even more important. Some medical disorders such as high blood pressure or diabetes have do’s and don’ts so please listen to your doctor. Here are 10 foods to keep you healthy per Webb MD.
Water – our bodies are mostly made of water and need more everyday.
Blueberries– are packed with various antioxidants. (antioxidants — things like vitamin C and vitamin E — keep your cells healthy)
Fiber– helps with your digestive health and ease constipation.
Here are a few suggestions of abilities you will need to have for the job as a caregiver is a caring heart, clean driving record, the ability to learn new skills and a big smile as you enter the client’s home.
The elderly and disabled need you to have a caring heart. Sometimes you may be the only person they see so loving them is important. Its a hard job but worth it. Listening to their stories or watching an old movie can make them so happy.
A clean driving record, up to date automobile insurance and reliable transportation area must work in this industry. As a caregiver, you can not just miss a shift or be late so these things are important.
The ability to learn new skills is so important because every client is different with a different set of needs. Some of the skills I have learned over the years are using a Hoyer lift, colostomy care and giving a bed bath.
Greeting every client with a smile is a must in this industry. If you have these qualities find a company in your area and change someone’s day by helping take care of them.
imagine provided by goggle The parts of a hoyer lift
The best part of caregiving is sharing moments like birthdays with our clients. Some of these people do not have anyone but us to celebrate with them.
Sunday I was able to enjoy a celebration with a special guy, my client. A few days before I asked him what his favorite food and cake was so I could make him a birthday dinner.
My first stop was to the local Kroger to get the needed supplies. Fried shrimp, mashed potatoes and green peas but lets not forget a red velvet cake.
After arriving at his house for my shift I cooked his birthday dinner and surprised him with a colorful balloon.
After cooking his meal, he enjoyed every bite while watching a movie. This is not a requirement of being a caregiver but it is my favorite part. Sharing these moments are the best part.
Caregivers CARE 