Caregiver Resources

senior caregiving guide 1

We designed Senior Affair to guide you to the best senior caregiving products, services, and discounts. Our articles and reviews have detailed, up-to-date lists that are easy to navigate and free to view. Here, you will find information about various topics, including the top senior devices for home modifications, medication management, emergency response systems, and much more.

What is a Caregiver? A Guide to Caring for our Loved Ones.

A caregiver can be anyone that provides emotional or physical support for a person in need. Sometimes we are assigned this position by accident, or you can get paid to do this work.

We also write reviews for legal and financial assistance, senior discount programs, and guides about temporary and permanent senior housing and care assistance options. If you are looking for ways to ease the caregiving process and ensure senior safety now and in the future, you can find information and reviews for valuable products and services right here at Senior Affair. Here is an overview of some of the most popular senior caregiving topics we feature for your convenience.

Senior Communication Aids and Tools

Communication is an invaluable tool for all individuals but even more for seniors wanting to talk to caregivers, family, and friends. Communication not only involves the ability to speak but to be able to hear and even communicate non-verbally. Modern technology has the right tools to aid the elderly in these areas. A standard tool needed by many seniors is one or more hearing aids, and our guide can help you choose the right type for your needs.

Another primary device most seniors use for communication is a home or mobile phone that lets them reach out to caregivers or loved ones when they’re home alone. Modern cell phones feature compatible text-to-speech and speech-to-text options to ease visual or hearing impaired communication, location, and medical alert capabilities. Home phones have senior-friendly customizations like large buttons, intercoms, extra loud ringers.

The ability to comfortably access the Internet and computer is also helpful to seniors. Therefore, tools such as computer screen magnifiers, modified keyboards, and even voice controls for keyboards exist. Voice controls are excellent for those with Parkinson’s, dementia, arthritis conditions, or who suffered a stroke. These tools are adaptable to recognize vocalizations of heavy accents and even slurred speech. Senior Affair can quickly help you find the best deals on numerous communication tools and services for seniors.

Emergency Response Devices

Medical alert systems are a staple for senior safety and are helpful in any caregiving situation. After all, even full-time caregivers can’t be present at all times. Choices between senior alert devices are plentiful today, but they are not all equal in quality, services, or costs. Senior Affair will help you find the right company to fit your needs, such as wearable devices, watch options, wall and shower panic buttons, GPS tracking, and auto fall and crash detection features.

Home Safety Modifications and Devices for Seniors

Some of the most commonly searched-for senior implements involve modifying the home to improve safety in and around the house. Senior Affair makes it easy to discover the best ones and find those with discounted rates available. These products, such as handrails and non-slip flooring throughout the home, help seniors feel more independent and at ease around the house. These measures also give loved ones and caregivers greater peace of mind.

One of the primary areas to assess senior safety in the bathroom is where most falls occur among all age ranges. Some of our top-rated product lists include essentials such as raised toilets or elevated seats, walk-in tubs and showers, bathroom handrails and grab bars, bathroom intercoms, and voice-activated sinks. We discuss more intensive home modifications you might consider for those with limited mobility below.

Helping Seniors Maintain Mobility

People with mobility issues have special needs, as do their caregivers who assist with their use. Senior Affair is an excellent place to learn more about mobility devices of all kinds, the best places to purchase them, and essential features. We offer reviews on the latest mobility products like walking canes, walkers, power chairs, traditional and motorized wheelchairs, and stair climbing devices.

Another vital consideration for seniors using mobility devices involves modifying different home areas to accommodate devices and maintain safety. Ramps and stair rails leading to entryways are essential for wheelchair and scooter users, as are installing wider doors and hall pathways to accommodate the width of such devices. One might consider lowering cabinets and grab bars within kitchens and bathrooms to ease productivity in these spaces.

Assistive Technology Devices for Seniors

Senior Affair helps keep you aware of the latest technology but still user-friendly — devices to help seniors and caregivers live with greater ease. Within these sections, you’ll find helpful guides and tips concerning devices such as smart hearing aids, medication dispensers, health monitoring devices, smart home security systems, and innovative creations such as companion robots and devices for tremors.

Some exciting tech advancements include devices worn on the wrist that help control and relieve tremors via electrical impulses. 

Transportation Resources

Speaking of mobility, seniors will need to get back and forth to appointments, activities, and other engagements. In-home caregivers may have the option to drive a personal vehicle or one owned by the beneficiary or their families. However, many opt to take transportation services in major cities. We can help you find the best transportation services and explore any discounts that exist.

Seniors face a host of legal concerns, but you can ease their minds with the services of solid legal counsel. These professionals can help draw up traditional wills, living wills, trusts, end-of-life care directives, and guardianship, and power of attorney orders should they become mentally incapacitated to make decisions for themselves. Legal counsel can also assist seniors and their families with estate planning services to ease the delegation of property and financial assets after their passing. Senior Affair will guide you to local resources and non-profit services near you.

Financial Services and Tax Professionals

Our reviews of financial products and services can help seniors find qualified accountants, financial advisors, and tax professionals to help them learn more about how to protect their funds and make them last a lifetime. Learn more about retirement planning, smart investments for seniors, money management, VA benefits, stocks and annuities, long-term insurance, and the best health and life insurance to invest in during the golden years. Tax professionals can help you discover benefits such as deductions for medical expenses, transportation costs, and certain caregiver services. Discover new products and services at Senior Affair, and learn how to make the most of your invaluable resources.

Senior Care Support

There are times when in-home caregivers need a break from their duties, even when their senior loved one needs them at home. Respite care services for seniors allow you to employ the assistance of other care providers such as home companions, home health aides, skilled nurses, or even part-time residential services, such as adult daycare. Depending on your needs, services can be for as little as a few hours a day or full-time. Senior Affair is the definitive resource for information concerning senior housing and senior care options, so you are sure to find the ideal solution with our free service.

Senior Discounts

A highlight of Senior Affair is our ultimate list of senior discounts for everything ranging from home mobility devices to travel opportunities. We can help you find local restaurants, grocery stores, and an array of retailers that give seniors the golden treatment with special savings to help your money go further. Better yet, Senior Affair is filled with reviews on countless senior devices, services, and providers so you can make the best choices when choosing where to shop or dine. Check out the most extensive list of senior discounts on the web right here at Senior Affair.

If you are looking for a one-stop source for information about senior services, providers, housing, caregivers, gadgets, and money-saving tips, start browsing Senior Affair. 

Types of Caregivers

We break Caregivers down into four categories:

Volunteers – They are unpaid and provide non-medical help to people in the community. Usually, a neighbor, family friend helps with cleaning, cooking, or companionship.

Family – They provide help for parents, spouses, or other family members. Funding may be available through Medicaid. Provides custodial care, sometimes helps with estate planning and finances.

Non-Medical – Work for an agency, provides similar service to a family member. They are usually paid and licensed, private, or hired by an agency, provides custodial and non-medical services.

Skilled Caregivers – Provides medical care, holds degree or certification. They are paid and usually have an HHA certification or CNA license that provides bathing, grooming, and toileting services.

What Are the Duties of a Caregiver?

Sometimes caregivers may help with transportation to and from medical appointments and grocery stores and purchasing and managing prescriptions.

If a person has conditions like diabetes, COPD, or dementia, the caregiver could help monitor those and communicate progress or issues with medical professionals. If needed, facilitate meetings with service providers or resources.

If needed, a caregiver could assist a senior with getting in and out of bed, dressing, bathing, and toileting.

Some caregivers help with tasks like basic housework and chores to ordering, preparing, and serving meals.

Finally, trusted caregivers are responsible for things like finances and insurance.

Home Safety Modification and Devices

Since many baby boomers are now turning into seniors, they are looking for ways to protect themselves and make their homes safer to age at home longer. Caregivers get peace of mind by equipping the home with items like handrails, grab bars, and non-slip flooring, and better lighting throughout the home helps people get around safer.

Here are some modifications to consider:

Medication Dispensers

When you take multiple kinds of medications every day, keeping track of what to take and when can get complicated, both for aging adults and their caregivers. Because of this, The Food and Drug Administration estimates 1.3 million people are injured every year due to improper dosing.

Now technology has made it possible to manage your prescriptions more effectively and effortlessly.

Pill dispensers come with many different features; some have security features that prevent the pills from being tampered with, sounding alerts to take medicine, push notifications to cell phones as reminders, even holding a 90-day supply of medication.

Smart Watches

Have you seen the new smartwatches for seniors? They can monitor your sleep, medication, nutrition, and fitness. They cost less than medical alert systems (but have less functionality) and provide you with real-time health information.

Smartwatches can send medication alerts and provide directions on how to take them. They can monitor your vitals, including heart rate, temperature, and blood oxygen levels, all contained on an app that a caregiver can manage.

Medical Alert Systems

If you want to make sure that you or your loved one has access to emergency services, having a medical alert system is designed specifically for this. Accidents can happen at any time, and if something were to happen, having the one press emergency button direct to a live agent 24/7 is worth the peace of mind. You can choose between devices; bracelets, necklaces, and loud speakerphones connect to first responders.

Wheelchairs and Motorized Scooters

Have you considered getting a wheelchair or motorized scooter to get around the house because of mobility issues? A wheelchair or scooter can help you maintain your independence and age gracefully at home. Some models have cupholders, all-terrain wheels, and long battery life spans that can fit most budgets and people.

Are You a New Caregiver?

We know that the world of caregiving can be scary. It can be challenging to figure out what medical equipment to purchase or modifications to make to the home, or more complex problems like estate planning.

It will be a learning curve for sure, but you are not alone! We provide in-depth guides and reviews to help you discover new products and services that solve your problems and answer your questions.

Frequently Asked Questions for Caregivers

What is the difference between a caregiver and a caretaker?

A caregiver is someone who cares only for people, caretakers can care for people or also buildings or environments.

What is a caregiver?

A person could be a skilled nurse who gives medication or a neighbor who can help with chores or cleaning.

What shouldn’t a caregiver do?

If a caregiver is unlicensed, they shouldn’t give medical advice or administer medicine. This could cause a liability issue.

How long is a caregiver course?

Depends on what type of caregiver you want to become. You could complete some caregiver courses in 10 hours, but certified home health aides require extensive education and training.