Families often ask what a caregiver does for two hours. Here is a typical morning for a client who needs help with personal care and is otherwise managing.
8:00
The caregiver arrives, at the same time every day, and says who they are even if they were here yesterday. A look around: is the heating on, is anything on the floor, did the night go all right.
8:10
Up, bathroom, wash or shower, dressed. At the person’s pace. Skin checked for redness while helping, because pressure sores start small.
8:50
Breakfast, made and eaten together, with a reminder for the morning medication. Fluids pushed a bit, because most older people do not drink enough.
9:20
The bed made, the bathroom wiped down, the laundry started, the dishes done. Not deep cleaning; enough that the house does not slide.
9:45
A note in the log for you: what was eaten, mood, anything unusual. A word about what is planned for the afternoon visit if there is one.
10:00
Gone, with the door locked and the key back where it lives. That is the routine. It is the same tomorrow, with the same person, which is the point.
