Types of Caregivers

Meet the different types of caregivers who provide care

Caregivers help with daily tasks (ADL’s-Activities of Daily Living) the main difference between the type of caregivers is that one is paid and one is not.

There are two types:

• Formal caregivers for seniors are paid  in exchange for care services provided.

• Informal caregivers are family and friends who provide care without financial compensation.

Caregivers paid or not provide emotional support, personal hygiene assistance, housekeeping, transportation, and social interaction. 

Formal paid caregivers lend eyes and ears to family members. In some cases, family members do not live near their senior loved one(s). Most family members who are a part of the “sandwich generation”, are caught between the stresses of caring for their aging parent, as well as their own children, and career. They require additional resources to help care for their senior loved one(s).  

Families place a lot of trust in the hands of hired private caregivers to provide support, stability, and security to their senior loved one(s). 

A private caregiver’s greatest asset is how well he or she communicates with family members to keep them well informed after each visit. It will also help alert the family of any obvious changes in behavior, or cognitive state. 

List of private caregiving services

Groceries         

Assistance getting to the grocery store or making an online order. Everyday chores such as grocery shopping can be overwhelming for seniors. A senior will tend to plan the whole day around a a simple trip to the grocery store. A caregiver can assist with this task and take all the stress out of what may seem like a complicated and draining event.

Errands 

Accompany senior to:

✔️Grocery
✔️Retail stores
✔️Pharmacy
✔️Bank
✔️Dry cleaners
✔️Vet 

Appointments 

A caregiver can be your set of eyes and ears at an appointment, likewise he/she can request to record audio, or ask the medical professional to send you a summary of findings to you by email.

✔️Doctors
✔️Therapists
✔️Optometrist
✔️Dentist
✔️Specialists
✔️Hairdresser
✔️Podiatrist
✔️Beauty & Spa

Housekeeping 

✔️Wiping down all touched surfaces with alcohol 70%+
✔️Mop Floors
✔️Vacuum Floors / Sofa / Drapes
✔️Clean and disinfect bathroom
✔️Wipe down kitchen area
✔️Dusting
✔️Laundry
✔️Ironing
✔️Garbage/compost/recycling

Bathing & Grooming 

Assistance with:

✔️In and out of bath
✔️Washing
✔️Shaving
✔️Cut finger & toe nails
✔️Cleaning teeth/dentures
✔️Assistance with toilet/diapers
✔️Brushing hair
✔️Apply make-up
✔️Apply moisturizer

Meal Prep 

Same day preparation or advanced preparation.

✔️Serve breakfast, lunch, supper, or snack
✔️Set up table for next meal
✔️Cook and freeze 1-2 portion meals-label-reheat as needed
✔️Purchase pre-made meals that can be frozen

Exercise with Senior 

✔️Walking
✔️Biking
✔️Swimming
✔️Bowling
✔️Golf range
✔️Gardening

Pet Care 

✔️Daily walks
✔️Changing litters
✔️Replenishing food
✔️Water
✔️Grooming
✔️Veterinary appointments

Senior outings  

✔️Dinning
✔️Museums
✔️Library
✔️Movie
✔️Theater
✔️Ballet
✔️Opera
✔️Weddings
✔️Funerals
✔️Gala dinners
✔️Festivals
✔️Religious services
✔️Scenic drive