A bidet toilet was invaluable in enabling my mother to manage the bathroom on her own. It was really a toilet seat arrangement that was connected to the regular toilet and provided washing and drying after urination or a bm. I believe it was special-ordered by my brother from either Lowe's or Home Depot and included a remote control for the washing/drying functions. It was somewhat pricey--maybe around $700-$800, but well worth the cost if a person/family can afford to put out that money. We have a Japanese-type resort where I live (Santa Fe, NM), and they have these same bidet toilets in their restrooms.

Technology is often what we rely on because my siblings and I are all 2-3 hours away from our elderly mother...and in fact from each other. we (kids and grandkids) use an application called buddypanel to interact with my Mom and help to keep her stimulated and aware of what various family members are doing.

Hi Carol,
I'm the son of an in-home care giver. My mother, a physician, is now on grandparent number 3 and it really bothered us how miserable trying to get them all through the shower has been. My family invented the absolute best product for those taking seated showers. This has made all of our lives so much easier and my grandparents love the device (plus it's cheap!).

Smartphone? Apps? Seriously, most Caregivers I know are senior citizens taking care of senior citizens. We are lucky we know how to turn on the computer and use email :P

I would like a copy of Hired independent caregiver covering: not responsible for accidents, that they pay all their own taxes on monies received from us & whatever else should be in it.

Great article with helpful, practical suggestions. May I add one innovation to the mix? Our family uses a web-based platform called Tyze to coordinate our son's complex care. We also use a Tyze site to coordinate family/paid care for my Mom too who is 92. Tyze is the only online tool that I know of with the appropriate security to enable medical professionals to engage online with family caregivers about a vulnerable person in the community. Our GP is part of our son's Tyze network, as are his overnight nurses and his agency day staff. We work really together to support our son and he has a great life. Tyze is free for individual users. It's great.

All caregivers need education related to their struggle but they don't always have the time to sit at a computer. I recommend that caregivers get a Kindle paperwhite for $60 or $70. When used with the free Push to Kindle service, you can save any article straight to the Kindle. This allows you to take your training materials anywhere at anytime.

I enjoyed this. In 1 month I'll be returning home to live with my elderly parents. They are loving and often funny but I have to speak very loudly most of the time. My dad has some dementia which is getting worse and my mom needs me to help her with him. He shouldn't drive but does. He gets lost or his car get's lost. I am the only daughter but I have 3 brothers who are wonderful as are their wives. I know that things will get worse. I've been closing up my household to move into one little room until my parents die. Sounds so sad. Would I do cpr if the occasion called for it? I just don't know. My mom believes in a next world. My dad doesn't. I wish he did, for his life would be different. The spiritual makes such a difference in how we all approach the end of life.

Very very good article and some great tips on tools to use in caregiving. There is a new tool/service available for care giving and many other uses, called SafelyFiled (for storage an sharing of very sensitive personal documents and account info) and SafelyMD (Free service for prescription medication tracking, medical history, emergency contact info and more---with an emergency data card that can be accessed quickly in an emergency). You can find out alot more about both at website safelyfiled. They provide some great free checklists too that are most helpful in reminding us what we need to gather together for our loved one (and ourselves) so that when the end of life comes, they can easily access that information and close your estate (and online presence!!!)

Very informative particularly for people new to caregiving. True we are moving at a fast pace in being able to know where our love ones are. My husband became un- able to see his cell phone and became very frustrated with it. I found a one button alarm type that contacts a nurse or other sr. rep with the simple one button emergency call. We pay I believe $15.00 per month for the service. It has a GPS tracker. When we travel, we can take it along to use during an emergency if our phone doesn't work. Also we have a home alarm system. Our local sheriff's helps patients and caregivers with project SAFE RETURN a watch type alarm with a radio tracking system which is different from the GPS. He also wears a ID bracelet with the name of the caregivers (my name and my daughter as backup if I cannot be contacted) this has his name engraved,address and his diagnosis. The SAFE RETURN PROGRAM FROM OUR LOCAL SHERIFF OPERATES ON DONATIONS. IT IS WONDERFUL. Also my spouse likes night lights to be on in the hall and bath at night. I know it makes him feel more secure. Caregiving is confining and stressful but with the wonderful web sites like Aging Care, and people like you it makes us feel we are totally not on our own. God Bless Sharoy78