Basic daily elderly care checklist
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Caring for a Senior or elderly parent requires great effort, but can be VERY rewarding. Though every Senior will have different needs based on health, age, etc., this list will help you know what types of things you should do on a daily basis to take care of the Senior, keep a clean/healthy environment, and keep the house/apartment tidy. You will need to customize this list to meet your Senior's own needs.
- help Senior with bath
- help Senior get in and out of bath and get dressed
- put out new hand towel in bathroom
- put out new cup in bathroom
- remind Senior to use facial cleanser and clean nails in bath
- apply applicable creams and lotions to Senior’s face and body
- apply any ointments or bandages necessary
- make sure Senior has oxygen on (if applicable), throughout the day
- clean their eye glasses
- remind or help Senior put on hearing aids (if necessary)
- make breakfast
- clean up breakfast
- make sure Senior took last night’s pills
- make sure Senior has taken morning pills
- make sure Senior has afternoon pills
- put out new kitchen towel and dish rag
- empty, load, run dishwasher
- bring in newspaper (if not already in)
- bring in mail (if not already in) – sort and pay bills
- make lunch and dinner
- cover and set dinner in fridge on plate (if you won’t be there in the evening)
- shake out table cloth/placemat, or get out clean one
- clean up lunch dishes, put dish brush in dishwasher
- make bed
- put out fresh water in clean glass or sippy cup next to Senior’s bed (fluids important)
- take out bathroom, bedroom & kitchen trash
- clear off island, counters, tables from papers, mail, newspaper, books, etc.
- set out evening pills (if leaving before evening time)
- visit, TALK, enjoy time together, help Senior remember things from childhood, life and recent news
- review date of year and day of week with Senior (if they have any memory problems)
- write down any groceries needed on master shopping list
- see if any plants need watering
- check for old food in fridge & toss
- wipe down toilets with Clorox wipe & scrub inside toilet bowl
- wipe down kitchen, sink
- wipe down bathroom counters
- check toilets, clean bowl with brush, if needed
- use lysol (or chosen cleaning) spray on toilet, phones, remotes, light switches, sink, etc.
- make sure there is juice and milk open in fridge
- make sure there is enough Ensure, Depends, or other daily necessities in house
- make sure there is enough toilet paper in bathrooms
- check voice mail, return calls, set appointments, etc.
- check for new e-mails – show Senior photos and print up any e-mails for them
- look at family/friend birthday calendar - call that person, write a card/mail, talk about that person
- catch up on highlights of current news
- read books, scriptures, poems, etc. (whatever Senior enjoys)
- do activities with Senior (manicures, puzzles, walking, games, etc.)
- see if Senior wants to write any letters
- go for a short walk with Senior
- pick up house and vacuum
- file nails
- shovel any snow on driveway or walkway
- put out Ice Melt on driveway/walkway, if needed
- LOCK the front door before you leave
