Must-Haves For Caregivers

What tools do caregivers need?

If you take care of an aging relative, you really should have a caregiving survival kit composed of important caregiver must-haves.  If you own a home, you probably have a basic toolkit so that you can keep up with accidents and repairs.

If you have a car, you probably keep a few tools onboard so that you can change a tire, check your tire pressure, etc. And of course, if you have children, you probably have  a variety of kits to handle anything from boredom to bleeding.

So Why Don't You Have a Caregiving Kit?

Google some advice on all the stuff you will need to care for an elderly loved one, and you will be just as overwhelmed as new parents. From your own personal therapist to digital pill boxes, its amazing what items are often considered necessities.

It isn't really that complex though, so don't worry. You can survive with a minimum of tools. Some necessities are things you can't even touch!

1. A Cellphone

Bah! We lived for years without cellphones, you might say. Well, that's true. But some people didn't live. Some people died because help could not be reached immediately. A cellphone allows a caregiver to:

• Call EMS whenever and wherever needed
• Keep in touch with other concerned family and friends
• Organize appointments
• Quickly access the internet if for information
• Text discreet updates to family members (important in a crowded hospital waiting room) 
• Set alarms for medications or treatments so that they are never late.
• Take and store notes about issues that need to be brought to a doctor's attention
• Store an updated list of medications, dates, medical information, etc. 

2. CPR/First Aid Training

Even if you live next door to a hospital, the minutes you can save by knowing CPR and some basic first aid techniques could be what saves your loved one's life. Classes are offered locally even in rural areas, and are usually quite reasonable.

If you can't manage a certification class, you might be able to get help from a friend or acquaintance that has training. Even a few informal lessons are better than having no clue what to do in case of an emergency.

3. First Aid Kit

Even if your house is as well stocked as a pharmacy, you still need to keep a few emergency items in a small kit. This kit should be easily accessible in case of emergency. This is NOT where you keep your elder's daily medications. This is where you keep supplies such as:

• Gauze and bandages
• Peroxide
• Rubbing alcohol
• Antiobiotic cream
• Gloves
• Tweezers
• Small pair of scissors
• Benadryl
• Burn ointment
• Pain relief
• Hand Sanitizer
• Glucose

Basically, any items that you might need for an immediate emergency. These can be tailored to suit the individual needs of your loved one. Don't forget to tape a card to the box with basic information. 

4. Several Copies of Medical Information 

Keep a current list of: 

• Current medications (include dosage information and how often they are taken)
• Allergies
• Health conditions
• Important phone numbers

Laminate a copy to hang in the kitchen by the phone. Keep another copy in the car, your purse...wherever you are sure to have it when you need it. In case of an emergency transport it can be hard for anyone to remember all the medical information they will ask for. 

5. A Fire-Proof Safe

Caregiving comes with tons of paperwork. And much of it has important personal information included. Therefore, a safe is a necessity.

6. Organization

It doesn't have to be a stellar organizational system, but it does have to be functional. Your life as a caregiver will be a lot easier if your loved one's information, supplies, medications, etc, aren't scattered over several rooms.

Keep medications organized in a safe location out of reach of children and pets. Keep any information you have to use frequently in a file.

 If necessary, keep medical supplies in a cabinet near the area where you care for your loved one. And be sure to keep updated phone numbers and addresses on hand for all relatives and friends that need to be notified in case of an emergency.

Humor, Patience, and Support

Aside from the "tools" above, you may need many gadgets. It depends on your needs and those of your loved one. But, no matter what, you will need to keep a healthy supply of humor and patience on hand at all times.

Support is another must-have. Get it from friends, family, a counselor, a church group or an online community--but make sure you have enough of it to get you though the rainy days.

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photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net