A Day in the Life of a Caregiver

Are you new to caregiving and wondering what your typical day will look like? As a caregiver providing non-medical home care to New York residents, each day brings new fulfillment opportunities and, sometimes, challenges. Though it may be hard to predict your everyday routine with 100 percent certainty, we have created a general outline of what to expect when you are looking after someone on a daily basis.

Wake-Up Time

In the morning, CareGivers often help patients or loved ones get out of bed. This can entail anything from providing a simple wake-up call to providing assistance with personal hygiene needs, bathing, dressing, grooming, incontinence care, and whatever else the patient requires to have a refreshing start to their day. If you are taking care of older adults or patients with chronic pain who may not get adequate sleep at night, you may need to adjust the wake-up hours appropriately to fit their unique needs

Morning Routine

If the patient has scheduled medical appointments or social engagements, prepare them in good time. Do keep in mind to take all the necessary COVID-19 safety measures, like bringing clean masks and gloves to the appointment (supplied throughout the pandemic your local CareGivers America throughout the pandemic at no cost to you!). You may also need to drive or arrange transport and,on occasion,accompany them to their appointments and community-facing needs.

If their morning is free, it may be the best time for a little exercise. This could be a simple 20-minute walk in the beautiful outdoors (always taking COVID-19 precautions beforehand) or more strenuous activity, depending on the patient’s mobility and health needs. Ensure you provide enough support for the patient as they exercise.

Lunchtime

You may prepare a healthy lunch that not only meets all your participant’s essential macronutrient provisions, but also takes into consideration the patient’s dietary restrictions and allergies. Over lunch, both of you can make plans for the rest of the afternoon. Be sure to prioritize the patient’s preferences for the afternoon activity. 

Afternoon Schedule

The afternoon is an ideal time to help patients socialize with their friends or family safely, for instance, over a Zoom video call. During this time, you can complete tasks around the home like picking up the daily mail, managing medical appointments, doing dishes, cleaning, and running necessary errands.

Evening Schedule

As the day winds down, you should begin dinner preparations for the patient, again, keeping in mind their dietary needs and restrictions. Then, it’s off to bed! Make sure the patient has assistance with their personal hygiene routine, bathing, and grooming needs, if necessary. Once they are settled in for the night, you can return home knowing you had a productive day helping someone in need remain in their own home and their own community. 

The Role of a CareGiver

What do caregivers do? If you’re new to this role, you may be wondering how you’re expected to help your patients with their daily lives. Here, we break it down for you.