Think of a caregiver as a personal assistant and leader simultaneously.  A caregiver assists with activities of daily living (bathing, brushing, dressing, toileting).  The amount of assistance a caregiver provides depends on the level of care needed.  They do all the household tasks as well such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping, and home safety.  Most important, in my opinion, a caregiver is a personal advocate with the healthcare team and insurance company to make certain the right medicine and treatment happens at the right time and place.