One Stop Shopping Is The Key
A #sponsored blog post.
In 2015 Pew Research study announced there were 40.4 million unpaid caregivers of adults ages 65 and older in the United States. These numbers have grown in the last few years. A 2019 study by Family Caregivers Alliance: National Center on Caregiving showed that on average, “caregivers spend 13 days each month on tasks such as shopping, food preparation, housekeeping, laundry, transportation, and giving medication.”
I am one of those 40.4+ million unpaid caregivers that spends days each month supporting my loved one through shopping, food prep, transportation, medication management, housekeeping and laundry. Not to mention finding ways to ensure social interaction is part of each day.
November as National Caregiver Month is an opportunity to highlight the commitment of family caregivers and to acknowledge resources like Costco and Kimberly-Clark that can help us keep our caregiving commitments.
My loved one’s health, safety and guarding against isolation are always at the forefront of my mind. For me, time, convenience and spending money wisely are always at the forefront of my mind as her caregiver. Put all these needs to together and #Costco is a must shop location. Not only do I find the products that keep my senior healthy and contribute to keeping her safe, the convenience in one stop shopping, quality and price keep me coming back.
One way I can keep my loved one safe at night is through an easily accessible commode to minimize trips to the bathroom. What comes along with this safety measure is a concern for health. This is where Cottonelle FreshCare Flushable Wipes come into play. These products are flushable and 100% biodegradable, so it speaks to the conservationist in my heart. Easily found at Costco, this products usefulness increases as your seniors’ desire to shower daily decreases. In my experience, mobility is a huge issue for our seniors. Don’t be surprised if at some point they decrease how often they shower during a week. Having Cottonelle FreshCare Flushable Wipes can help in the in-between times.
Due to mobility issues, there is often a reluctance to use public bathrooms which may be difficult to navigate with canes, walkers or wheelchairs. In addition, long travel times and toileting concerns may be one reason your loved one is no longer eager to visit family or friends. Self-isolation due to toileting can be handled with a loving and open conversation about using Depend FIT-FLEX Max Absorbency underwear. Created with a tailored fit that is shaped to look natural, this product is available at Costco as well. When you start to use this product for travel, it allows for a natural transition to more full-time use. The ability to buy in bulk along with the pricing you find at Costco is critical to caregivers who often use their own money to supplement supplies for their loved one.
Even if you are not at the point where mobility is a factor in lifestyle and purchases, 1-in-3 women experience light bladder leakage (LBL). Chances are your senior is one of them. I know I am. While shopping at Costco, look for Poise Ultimate Absorbency Pads which stays 10x drier than leading period pads.
Caregiving is just one of the roles in my busy life. When I find a place that saves time and money without having to sacrifice high-quality products, I consider it a win. Costco is that place for me and it checks off another caregiver need for my loved one. Going to Costco is one experience we love to share together. Getting out of the house on a trip to Costco decreases her isolation and increases her zest in life. An added bonus is coming home with a little special treat that we hadn’t planned on while we fulfilled our mission to purchase the all-important Cottenelle FreshCare Flushable Wipes, Depend FIT-FLEX Underwear and Poise® Absorbency Pads!
Disclaimer: The material in this blog is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace, nor does it replace, consulting with a physician, lawyer, accountant, financial planner or other qualified professional.
