An elderly person.
Caring for the elderly means that you have to be extra careful---especially if you're involved with end-of-life care---to make sure that their physical health, mental health and general well-being needs are being met. Meal preparation and running errands are only two of the tasks you take on when caring for the elderly.
First Aid
First aid knowledge allows you to not only have more confidence when something goes awry with an elderly person's health but also helps you to make decisions during times of crisis. Certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) allows you to help out when an elderly person has collapsed, has no pulse or has stopped breathing. Knowing treat wounds and deal with another's blood is also helpful in case you have to treat an open wound or minor cut. You should also be confident in helping an elderly person get up from a fall.
Housekeeping and Personal Assistance
Caring for an elderly person means that you should be well-versed in housekeeping duties. Washing dishes, washing and drying clothes, and light cleaning are a few housekeeping duties often needed by the elderly. The caregiver should also know prepare nutritious meals as some elderly people find the kitchen area dangerous or don't have the energy to prepare their own meals. Personal duties for caregivers include separating daily medications into a pill-reminder box and running errands such as getting groceries or picking up prescriptions. In addition, trips to doctors' offices are often essential for many elderly people, and driving the elderly person to these appointments may be required.
Companionship
Many elderly people simply need a good friend to talk to, especially widows and widowers. Companionship to the elderly means that you not only devote your physical presence but also your undivided attention to listening and talking to the person. Elderly individuals often enjoy simple board games like checkers, Monopoly or card games. Some like watching their favorite television shows with their caregivers. Simply being present for conversation can be beneficial for an elderly person's well-being as he will know that you truly care. Companionship and friendship also may help curb depression in some elderly people who feel lonely during this stage of their lives.
