Creating a Caregiver Kit for Your Car

Posted: 4/6/2018 7:53 AM by Interim HealthCare

As a family caregiver, it is likely that you spend a considerable amount of time in your car. With driving to and from your parent’s house, providing transportation for your children, driving to and from work, running errands, and other tasks, your car can often seem like your headquarters. This makes it important for you to ensure that your car is properly equipped with tools and items that will help you to fulfill care tasks and keep you and those who rely on you safe while traveling. This can give you greater confidence while on the road and also save you time, effort, and frustration in your daily routine.

Some items that you should consider keeping in your caregiver kit for your car include:

Blankets and towels, even during the warm months of the year.
Basic emergency supplies including potable water and non-perishable food.
A first aid kit equipped with items that could help you to handle minor injuries as well as minor illnesses that might occur while traveling.
A tool kit with items to fix minor issues with a vehicle as well as to draw attention to a broken down or otherwise incapacitated vehicle.
Change of clothes for yourself, your aging parent, and your children.
Snacks and beverages for yourself, your aging parents, and your children.
Basic toiletries that can be utilized in the event that you unexpectedly need to stay over at your parent's house.
Simple forms of entertainment for your parent and your children, such as books, adult and child coloring books, paper and Pen, cards, and games to provide mental stimulation and entertainment during traffic or other delays.
Copies of emergency information such as contact information for your parent's doctors and other members of your care team, copies of prescriptions, and pictures of your parent if they have wandering tendencies.
Items that can help you to cope with caregiver stress, such as aromatherapy tools, music, and other items.

Being a family caregiver for an aging adult can be extremely challenging. This is especially true if you are a member of the sandwich generation, caring for both your aging parent and your children, you live at a distance from your parent that keeps you from being able to be with them as frequently as you would like to be, or you struggle with your own challenges and limitations that keep you from being able to fulfill their care needs in the way that you believe they should be fulfilled. Whether you are dealing with care challenges, are experiencing a high level of caregiver stress, or simply feel that your parent would benefit from a wider care circle, home care can be a fantastic choice. A home care services provider can step in to fill care gaps, offer companionship and support, reduce your stress, and ensure that your parent receives the care and support that they need at all times. This will support a better quality of life and ongoing health and well-being for both of you.

Learn more about home care services.