Strange things you carry for eldercare

BassetHoundAnn

What peculiar things do you find yourself carrying for eldercare? 

Here are a few of the odd things I find myself carrying everywhere as I care for my mom: 

* A pacifier holder containing mini bottles of shampoo and conditioner. Never know when mom wants her hair done. The bottles of shampoo, conditioner and styling gel keep disappearing from her AL apartment. I think it's because she doesn't know what they are and so she tosses them. 

* A tote with extra slip-on pants, underwear, maxi-pads and Depends for when we go places like the dentist. 

* $100 in cash in small bills. Mom keeps insisting that I need to drive her to the bank so she can get some cash. I give her $100. Then as I do things for her--laundry, dishes, fix her hair, buy her extra snacks, etc.--she insists upon paying me. Then before I leave she insists that I need to drive her to the bank because she's out of cash again. "Hey, mom, I have some cash I'll give you! Here you go!" So I give her back the $100. At which point she wants to pay me for all I've done. Repeat. And repeat again. 

* Copies of durable power of attorney, medical power of attorney on my phone, and in my purse her driver's license, SS card and insurance cards. I'm thinking of carrying hardcopy POAs as well because some medical clinics insist on hardcopy copies. What do you think? 

What do you carry? What stuff do you suggest? 

star26

I can imagine that cash scenario! You've worked out a great system. For me, (with a male elder), I'm always prepared with a handheld urinal.  Also, snacks and a magazine or fidget-toy.

BassetHoundAnn

star26 wrote:

I can imagine that cash scenario! You've worked out a great system. For me, (with a male elder), I'm always prepared with a handheld urinal.  Also, snacks and a magazine or fidget-toy.

What kind of fidget toys do you use? Do they help? 

My mom is always bored as we sit in waiting rooms since she can no longer read. I've tried passing her magazines and newspapers but she can only pretend interest in them. I always bring a book for myself but can never read it as she needs constant attention. 

I should probably pack snacks too. I always use them as a bribe later to calm her down. "We'll go get ice-cream after this is done!" That sort of thing. 

Cobalt

Doubt any of my items are odd but many people are amazed as to what we always have in my son's medical bag.  Rubber gloves, wipes, hand sanitizer for sure.

Also carry his ID/wallet and documentation of guardianship, medical information including all doctors and meds, and an extra dose of each daily med.

We had sunglasses in it for ten years before I finally took them out of the bag.  He never used them once. Dry mouth spray and lozenges are definitely helpful when we are out.