Being the primary caregiver for an aging parent takes time and energy. In an ideal world, others would be involved to help take some pressure off caregiving, but that often isn’t the case. Managing caregiving tasks and your own to-dos can be a balancing act. Solo caregiving can often be more demanding than a full-time job, so it’s important to use time management skills to ensure you’re making the most of your time and energy. In this guide, we’ll share some time management tips to help you in your caregiving journey.
Maintain a caregiving binder
A caregiving binder can be your one-stop shop for all things caregiving. Depending on your preferences, this can be a physical binder or a digital folder, but you might find that a physical document is easier to share with others involved in your loved one’s care.
The binder is a place to keep track of medication lists, notes from physician appointments, information about care services, and details about your loved one’s caregiving needs. You might also store advance directive documents and important contact information in the binder.
Create a daily schedule to manage your daily tasks
A simple yet essential time management skill is making a schedule. Creating a daily schedule not only helps with your time management but can be a supportive tool for your older adult loved one. Routines are especially helpful for older adults with Alzheimer’s or dementia. When making a daily schedule, consider what times of day your loved one most needs support and build from there. Include any personal tasks they need assistance with, such as bathing and dressing. Consider tasks you and your loved one can do together, such as errands and household chores. Be sure to put aside time for entertainment, socializing, and relaxation for both you and your parent. If you keep a caregiving binder, include a copy of your routine. You might also write the schedule on a whiteboard so your loved one can see it and check for the day’s events, too.
Consistently use a calendar
The consistent use of a calendar is an essential time management skill. Though it sounds simple, a calendar helps visualize your and your loved one’s activities. Calendar apps allow you to easily add appointments and reminders so you can keep track of your schedule and be sure not to miss any important appointments or events. Most calendar apps allow you to keep separate calendars for different people with the option to see both at the same time. This feature can help you visualize who needs to be where and at what time.
If a physical calendar is your preference, try using a color-coding system to keep track of different types of events. Choose one color for your activities, one for medical appointments, one for social visits, etc. This at-a-glace system can help you more efficiently organize your day.
Whatever method of calendar-keeping works best for you, consistency is the time management skill you nurture with this tool. Entering appointments as soon as you make them and blocking out the time you’ll spend in the grocery store will help you visualize your days and weeks.
Make and update a to-do list to manage priorities
While it seems simple, keeping a to-do list on paper or on your phone is a helpful time management skill that can help you track not-so-frequent tasks that pop up and might escape your mind. You also might try using an app such as Todoist or Any.do to organize tasks as they arise. Prioritize your time by grouping tasks into levels of importance or the immediacy with which they need to be completed. Whichever method you prefer, to-do lists will ensure that you best manage your time and prioritize what needs to be done without anything slipping through the cracks.
Practice time blocking to use time wisely
Time blocking is a time management skill that encourages you to focus only on one specific task at a time rather than trying to manage several tasks at once in a scattered manner. For example, you might block thirty minutes to tidy up the kitchen. You might also block a section of the day to focus on quality time with your loved one by doing a meaningful activity together. Whatever the task, you’ll focus on just that for the given amount of time.
Of course, when caregiving alone, it can be difficult to focus purely on one activity. Sometimes, your loved one will have needs that cannot wait. However, time blocking can be a valuable tool for staying focused and organized when it comes to chores and errands.
Use technology to supplement your loved one’s care
Technology can be a fantastic tool to supplement your loved one’s care. Explore options that can help decrease the pressure of caregiving, such as medical alert systems, fall detection devices, GPS tools, and video cameras. While these are no substitute for a physical presence, they offer support in a pinch and can give you some peace of mind if you are managing some other aspects of your loved one’s care or your own responsibilities.
Technology can also help keep your loved one engaged. When you’re the sole caregiver, it can be difficult to manage caregiving responsibilities in addition to providing meaningful engagement. Try using online programs to encourage cognitive stimulation, such as BrainHQ, which offers brain exercises and puzzles. You can find many chair exercise programs on YouTube to promote physical activity. An e-reader is an excellent option to give your loved one access to new books and old favorites. While they are occupied and entertained, you can find some more time to manage other tasks around the home.
Delegate when possible
While you may not have the help of siblings or formal care providers, consider what tasks can be delegated to outside sources. For example, try using a grocery delivery service if grocery shopping is challenging. If you struggle with cooking and meal planning, try a meal delivery service. There are also online services that can organize and deliver your loved one’s medications in a way that makes them ready to dispense. Any delegated activities can open up more time in your schedule for you to focus on the things that cannot be shifted.
There’s no question that caregiving for an aging parent on your own is difficult. It’s emotionally and physically draining. However, by implementing some of these time management tips, you may find yourself better able to focus on what matters most: ensuring your loved one receives the care they need.
