The purpose of your caregiving closet is to organize personal care items that you use daily, regularly and/or may need at some point in the future.
If you and you caree live in separate households, you may want to create two closets–one for each household.
Becky Lowry, training director, and Nancy Hanley, RN, team manager, from MyHealthCareManager, shared tips on how to create a caregiving closet on their Caregiving.com blog. They are kind enough to let us share the list with you. They are even running a contest for the best caregiver’s closet – click here for the details.
While the initial set-up may take time, you’ll find that having an organized closet that has just what you need, when you need it, is a life-saver. The closet also will come in handy when you take a break; your back-up will be able to step in more easily because the necessarily supplies are organized and handy.
So, here’s the list of products and supplies for your Caregiving Closet:
Over the Counter Medications
- Acetaminophen – chewable tablet, liquid and suppository
- Anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen/naproxen sodium)
- Antibiotic ointment
- Stool softener
- Gastrointestinal medication (client preference or diagnosis driven)
- Antihistamine
- Anti-diarrheal
- Weekly pill reminder box
- Diabetic supplies
- Glucose tablets
- Blood sugar monitor and supplies
- Extra insulin and syringes
Oxygen Supplies
- Extra portable oxygen tank
First Aid Supplies
- Instant hot/cold packs
- Band-Aids
- 4X4 gauze pads
- Tape
- Kerlix
- Ace wraps
- Normal saline rinse
- Sling with safety pins
- Scissors/tweezers
- Sun screen
- Insect repellent
- Lip balm
- Body lotion
- Hat/umbrella
- Digital scale
- Digital thermometer
- Automated blood pressure system
Incontinence supplies
- Washable bed protectors
- Briefs
- Perineal care wipes
- Protective/barrier cream/ointment
Emergency supplies
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Battery powered radio
- Blankets
- Change of clothes
- Extra 2 day supply of prescription medication
- Bottled water/Gatorade
- Snacks like protein bars/nutritional drink supplement
Safety preparation
- Medical Alert system
- Phone programmed with 911
- Emergency numbers placed by phone
- Hand held shower head
- Shower chair
- Non-skid mat for shower/tub
- Toilet frame/riser
- Grab bars
- Soap on a rope
- Double sided tape to secure throw rugs
Cognitive safety preparation
- Door, bed, chair alarms
- Special door locks
- Lock up – medication, alcohol, cleaning supplies, guns, etc.
- Alzheimer’s safe return system
- Alerting police of senior situation
Vial of Life (Ready Reference card)
- Medication list
- Allergies
- Physician list/phone numbers
- Diagnoses
- Contacts/phone numbers
To ease in re-stocking, hang a list of the products and supplies in your closet on the closet door.
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