1. Contact List

Even if you have a comprehensive contact list in your smartphone, you should still keep a hard copy in your caregiver ready bag. The contact list should contain numbers and addresses for doctors, close relatives, and nearby emergency centers. You might also want to keep a list of your own emergency contacts just in case you’re injured or in an accident.

2. Extra Medication

Any prescription medication vital to your aging loved one’s health should be kept in a sealed container inside your caregiver bag. When your loved one gets a new prescription, you can simply replace the spare medication. At the very least, you should have enough medication to last until you can get the prescription filled again. Even if your loved one stays at home, he or she may run out of prescription pills or forget to take them. Skipping medications can have a negative impact on your loved one’s health and affect his or her independence.

A professional caregiver can help you make sure your ready bag is stocked with everything your loved one needs. Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care for the help they need. We provide high-quality elderly home care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.

3. Spare Universal Charger

Humans have become reliant on electronics, and no one wants to find themselves in an emergency situation without a phone. A spare universal charger will also allow you to charge medical devices such as glucose meters. As an alternative, you can keep a portable power pack in your bag.

4. Healthy Snacks

Some seniors have a difficult time controlling their blood sugar when they go out, and having low blood sugar levels could increase their risk of falling and hurting themselves. Any healthy snacks you put in your caregiver bag should stay good for at least a few months. Trail mix, popcorn, granola bars, and rice chips are all great options for a quick and healthy snack.

Assisting Hands® Dana Point experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.

5. Antibacterial Hand Gel

As people grow older, it can become more difficult to fight off bacteria encountered in public places. To keep harmful bacteria at bay, you can keep a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel in your bag. Seniors should try to sanitize their hands before eating, whenever they shake hands, and after they touch doorknobs.

6. Travel Toiletries

Many stores sell small travel kits that include a wide variety of toiletries. Not only are these kits perfect for seniors, but their caregivers can use them as well. These travel kits should contain a few key toiletries such as sanitary wipes, deodorant, and moisturizer. 

7. Over-the-Counter Painkillers

It’s a good idea for caregivers to keep a handful of painkillers in their pockets or ready bags. According to a long-term study conducted at Harvard Medical School, aspirin might delay a heart attack if the symptoms are caught early. When taking aspirin for a heart attack, chewing it helps it enter the bloodstream quicker. 

8. Change of Clothes

When caring for a senior, you never know when you’ll be stuck somewhere for a day or longer, which is why you need to keep a spare change of clothes for both you and your loved one. The clothes you pack should be comfortable so they don’t interfere with any injuries your loved one has sustained.

9. Water

A few extra bottles of water can be invaluable when you go out somewhere. In addition to hydrating, you can also use the water to wash your hands or fill the radiator in your vehicle. Before putting any water in the radiator, you need to make sure the water is purified and is free of additives.

10. Entertainment

Getting stuck in a hospital or waiting room can be boring without something to keep yourself busy. E-readers are a great option because their batteries generally last for days. You can also pack a few extra books, magazines, knitting supplies, or crossword puzzles. 

Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving around-the-clock senior home care. Dana Point, CA, Assisting Hands Home Care are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our professional caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your loved one, call us at (949) 426-7300 today.