Daily Deals from a Nerd Mom

When someone you love needs you – whether it’s your spouse, parent, or grandparent – stepping in to help often feels like a no-brainer. But caregiving, while rewarding, can be physically exhausting, emotionally draining, and at times, isolating.

I am currently caring for both my husband and my grandmother. I know firsthand the beauty and the burden of being a family caregiver. In this guide, I want to share some of the lessons I’ve learned. I will also discuss the resources that have helped me. Additionally, I’ll explain how I’m learning to care for myself too. You matter just as much as the people you’re caring for.

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Tip #1: Create a Routine That Supports Everyone

Consistency helps both the caregiver and the person receiving care. A daily routine:

• Reduces confusion for elderly loved ones, especially those with memory issues
• Helps manage medication and appointments more efficiently
• Brings a sense of calm and control to your day

To make it easier, here are resources and tools that can help you build and maintain a daily caregiving routine:

Caregiver Planning & Scheduling Tools

• Caring Village App
  • Designed specifically for caregivers, this app helps you create care plans, assign tasks, store important documents, and keep everyone updated.
• Lotsa Helping Hands
  • A coordination platform where friends and family can volunteer for tasks like meals, rides, or visits. Great for building your support network.
• Google Calendar or Apple Calendar
  • Simple, free tools to plan appointments, medication schedules, personal time, and even recurring reminders for self-care. Share calendars with family members or helpers.
• Cozi Family Organizer
  • A user-friendly app to manage your caregiving schedule, grocery lists, meal planning, and appointments in one place.

Printable Planners & Templates

• Daily Caregiving Planner by AARP
  • Printable templates that include medication logs, appointment checklists, and caregiver task sheets.
• Daily Care Plan Template by the Alzheimer’s Association
  • Especially helpful for those caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Tools to Add Breaks & Self-Care into Your Routine

• Insight Timer or Calm App
  • These apps offer guided meditation, breathing exercises, and short relaxation sessions you can build into your daily routine.
• YouTube Gentle Yoga for Caregivers
  • Quick stretching and movement videos (many 10–15 minutes) tailored for stress relief and mental reset. Search for “yoga for caregivers” or “stress relief yoga.”

💡 Caregiver Tip: Post a visual schedule where everyone can see it. Include “quiet time” or breaks for yourself – yes, you get to be on the calendar too!

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Tip #2: Leverage Local Services for Meal Deliveries and Grocery Runs

Caring for a loved one often means managing a variety of tasks, from preparing meals to running errands. It can be challenging to handle it all on your own. However, there are many resources available to help lighten the load. Utilizing meal delivery services or local volunteer programs for grocery runs can be a lifesaver for caregivers. Here are a few options to consider:

Meal Delivery Services:

• Meals on Wheels
  • This nonprofit organization provides home-delivered meals for those who are unable to shop or cook for themselves. Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious meals directly to your loved one’s door. This service ensures they receive the proper nutrition without the need for you to cook every meal.
• HelloFresh
  • For caregivers who prefer to cook but want to save time, HelloFresh offers meal kits with fresh ingredients. The kits come with simple instructions. It’s a convenient way to prepare healthy meals without the stress of deciding what to make each day.
• Grubhub or Uber Eats
  • If you need meals delivered from local restaurants, services like Grubhub and Uber Eats can assist you. They help you find healthy meal options near you. This is especially useful for times when you don’t have the energy to cook or prepare a meal.

Local Volunteers for Grocery Runs:

In addition to meal deliveries, there are many local volunteer programs that can assist with grocery shopping and errands, easing your caregiving load:

• Churches and Religious Organizations
  • Many local churches offer volunteer programs. These programs provide assistance with grocery shopping. They include meal deliveries and other errands for those in need. Reach out to your community or religious leader to inquire about any volunteer opportunities.

• Neighborhood Help Groups (Facebook/Nextdoor)
  • Many neighborhoods have local groups on platforms like Facebook or Nextdoor. In these groups, people offer to help with tasks such as grocery shopping. Joining these groups can connect you with volunteers in your area who are eager to lend a hand.

• AARP’s Community Connections Program
  • AARP offers community-based support for caregivers and their loved ones, including grocery assistance and other services. By reaching out to AARP or checking local listings, you may find volunteers willing to run errands for you.

• United Way Volunteer Centers
  • Many United Way chapters organize volunteer programs. These programs connect caregivers with individuals who can help with groceries, home visits, and other caregiving tasks. Visit the United Way Volunteer Center to see if there are any active volunteers in your area.

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Tip #3: Learn the Basics of Home Health Care

You don’t need a medical degree to provide effective care, but a few skills can make a big difference:

• How to safely transfer someone from bed to chair
• Wound care basics or insulin management (if needed)
• Organizing medications using a weekly pill box or app reminders

💡 Helpful Resource: Check out the free Family Caregiving How-To Video Series by AARP. These are easy-to-follow tutorials on essential home care tasks. They include wound care, mobility assistance, and managing medications.

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Tip #4: Make Time for Your Own Health

Your physical and mental health are essential – not optional.

Try to:

• Move your body daily (even a short walk counts)
• Keep your doctor’s appointments
• Drink enough water and don’t skip meals
• Make room for joy, laughter, or a hobby you love

🎧 Caregiver Self-Care Idea: Listen to audiobooks or uplifting podcasts while folding laundry or cooking. Little things add up.

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Tip #5: Set Boundaries Without Guilt

Saying “yes” to everything will eventually lead to burnout. It’s okay to:

• Let a call go to voicemail
• Reschedule an appointment if you’re overwhelmed
• Say “no” to something that stretches you too thin

Boundaries protect both you and the people you’re caring for. A rested, supported caregiver provides better care.

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You Are Not Alone

If you’re a family caregiver – especially one juggling multiple responsibilities – I want you to hear this: you’re doing an incredible job. It’s okay to feel tired. It’s okay to feel frustrated. And it’s okay to want to care for yourself too.

This caregiving season is part of your story – but it’s not the end of it. Keep showing up, but don’t forget to show up for yourself too.

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When It’s Time to Add Help at Home

Caregiving doesn’t have to be a solo marathon. When the daily tasks start crowding out sleep or work, invite a professional in to fill the gaps. A local provider like Parkwood Home Care can step in for medication reminders, light meal prep, mobility support, or simply friendly companionship – whether that’s a couple of afternoons a week or short-term respite during crunch times. Ask for a quick in-home assessment, a flexible plan that can scale up or down as needs change, and clear updates after each visit. You stay in charge; the added support helps you keep the bond – and your bandwidth – intact.

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💌 Download Your Free Caregiver Checklist!

Feeling overwhelmed by daily caregiving tasks? Stay organized and reduce stress with my Family Caregiver Daily Checklist. It’s a simple printable to help you care for others and yourself.

Use it daily or customize it to fit your routine. You deserve support, too.

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The information provided in this post is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical, health, or caregiving advice. Please consult with a qualified professional for personalized guidance.

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