Black Friday is a great opportunity for caregivers to purchase items on their caregiving wish list. The post-Thanksgiving sales offer a wide range of items that can make a caregiver’s life a little bit easier. Here are five awesome things caregivers should buy on Black Friday.
1. Slow Cooker
Caregivers who have difficulty fitting meal prep into their weekly schedule should consider buying a slow cooker. These devices make it easy to prepare large quantities of storable foods like soups and casseroles. If you stockpile extra servings of chicken soup or beef casserole in the freezer, you’ll have a fallback plan when your busy schedule leaves you without time to cook a healthy dinner. Slow cookers also have timer settings, which ensure users come home to a warm meal. Food made in slow cookers also tends to be healthier. By slowly tenderizing meat, these devices reduce the need for excess salt and fat.
A slow cooker would also be a great tool for a professional caregiver if you choose to hire one. When considering in-home care, Huntsville, AL, families should make sure their senior loved ones have the resources they need to maintain their independence and remain healthy. Trusted in-home care professionals can assist seniors with daily tasks like cooking, bathing, and exercise, and they can also encourage them to focus on healthier lifestyle habits.
2. Smart Speaker
Smart speakers are the perfect Black Friday buy for caregivers because they combine functionality and fun. These voice-activated devices serve two basic purposes. First, they provide high-quality audio that can be accessed by voice command. Hands-free music selection comes in handy when filing paperwork or doing chores. Smart speakers are also a great help for seniors who find music therapeutic. When your senior loved one is anxious, you can play his or her favorite songs without the hassle of scrolling through playlists or music collections.
3. Smart Lighting
Caregivers interested in smart technology should also consider investing in smart lighting on Black Friday. It’s easy to start small. Simply buy one smart LED bulb, screw it into a lighting fixture, and start controlling it with a compatible app. More adventurous caregivers may want to buy a basic smart lighting system. These systems usually come with multiple bulbs and an internet-connected hub. Smart lighting has plenty of advantages for overworked caregivers and their senior loved ones. Smart lights can be controlled via apps, but many are also voice activated, which can make it easier for seniors to turn on the lights for a nighttime trip to the bathroom or the kitchen. Smart plugs are another option. These plugs can transform plug-in devices such as bedside lamps into controllable smart products.
If your loved one needs a bit more help getting around than smart lighting can provide, consider seeking the services of a professional caregiver. The types of home care services Huntsville, AL, seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Home Care Assistance, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time.
4. Fitness Tracker
Many caregivers spend so much time caring for their loved ones that they neglect their own health needs. Fitness trackers can help you assess your daily activity levels and make healthy lifestyle changes. Whether you want to count your daily steps, check your heart rate, or track your caloric intake, these wristbands can be effective motivators.
5. Single-Cup Espresso Maker
For many caregivers, caffeine is an essential component of their morning wake-up routine. You deserve the luxury of high-quality coffee, which is why you should splurge on a single-cup espresso maker this Black Friday. Espresso makers minimize the contact between coffee and water, which lowers acidity levels and results in a smooth, rich cup of coffee.
Caregivers should treat themselves to items that can make their lives just a bit easier. Keep an eye out for the ones on this list—you’re likely to see them on sale in a number of places. Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide respite care. Huntsville families who want to prevent burnout can turn to Home Care Assistance. One of our professional caregivers can assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation. Call Home Care Assistance at (256) 716-9940 to learn more about our flexible and customizable senior care plans.