The Ultimate Caregiver Checklist: Your Guide to Compassionate Care with APEX Professional Care

Creating a Caregiver Duty Checklist

A Caregiver Duty Checklist, also called a Home Health Aide duties list, is a document that lists all the things your loved one needs help with regularly. It's important to plan ahead for the tasks of caregiving so that each day goes smoothly for both the caregiver and the person receiving care.

What To Consider When Building A Caregiver Checklist?

Here are some important things to think about when making a caregiver checklist to help you deal with the challenges:

1. Learn about the person's health condition:

   • Talk to their doctors to understand their specific needs.

   • Read reliable sources like medical books or trusted websites for more information.

   • Ask about any special skills you might need to take care of them.

2. Explore different caregiving options:

   • Write down what the person needs for meals, laundry, bathing, etc.

   • Discuss these needs with the person, family, or healthcare providers.

   • See "How to Ask for Help" for guidance on this.

3. Plan for immediate care:

   • Ask the person what they want for their care and involve them in decisions.

   • Make changes to their living space if they need things like wheelchairs or walkers.

   • Figure out how to keep track of their health needs, like writing down what they eat or when they take medication.

4. Organize important information:

   • Write down the names and contact details of their doctors, their illnesses, and their medications.

   • Sort out their financial stuff like bills, bank accounts, and insurance.

   • Make copies of their social security numbers and insurance cards.

5. Plan for emergencies:

   • Have a plan in case something happens to the main caregiver.

6. Plan for the future:

   • Learn about the person's long-term health outlook to plan ahead.

   • Talk to a financial advisor who knows about caregiving costs.

   • Speak with a lawyer about legal documents like healthcare proxies.

   • Think about hiring a Certified Senior Advisor or geriatric care manager to help with family meetings and planning care.

When making your own checklist, be sure to include advice from the person's medical team. Use the following suggestions to make a list that fits your situation.

(Will make an illustration/Graphics) Personal Care

• Bed bath, sponge bath, tub or shower bath

• Comb hair

• Brush teeth

• Help with getting dressed

• Additional Grooming as needed:

  • Wash hair

  • Shave

  • Nail care

  • Apply skin lotion

    
    

Medical Care

• Check vital signs

• Schedule medical appointments and physical exams

• Remind to take medications

• Pick up prescriptions

• Check blood sugar and pressure

• Heat sensitivity (prepare cooling scarves, washcloths, cold packs etc.)

  
  

Nutrition Needs

• Prepare meals

• Shop for groceries

• Help with feeding

• Encourage fluids/Restrict fluids

• Shop for and remind to take vitamins

• Organize pantry & fridge and ensure accessibility

  
  

Toileting

• Assist with going to bathroom

• Assist to bedpan/urinal

• Incontinence Care

• Empty urinary drainage/catheter bag

• Empty colostomy bag

• Incontinence (prepare underwear, feminine pads, absorbent sheets, extra clothes, towels etc.)

  
  

Mobility

• Assist with walking (for ambulatory care recipients)

• Turn position in bed (for bedridden care recipients)

• Transfer/Bed/Chair (for wheelchair-bound care recipients)

• Assist with home exercises and/or Physical Therapy exercises

  
  

Companionship

• Take for a walk

• Accompany to appointments

• Coordinate community outings

• Read aloud

• Watch videos

• Play games

• Provide transport

  
  

Household/Support Services

• Wash laundry

• Clean kitchen

• Take out the trash

• Adjust room temperature

• Clean bathroom

• Clean bedroom

• Check for oxygen on/off

• Vacuum/dust living area

• Make bed/change sheets

• Pick up mail

• Pay the bills

  
  

Monitoring

Keep an eye on and write down any changes that happen each day, like tiredness, feelings, and signs of being sensitive to heat. Then, adjust your plans based on what you notice.