Caring for someone that is seriously ill is difficult and time-consuming. For the new caregiver, taking on this new responsibility in an already hectic schedule is a challenge. This article provides some organizational strategies that will reduce amount of time and effort needed to accomplish the tasks required and help to ease your stress at the same time.
Communication
In my time of caregiving I realized that communicating with family and friends to update information was a daunting task. The same info multiple times takes time. To communicate information to an even larger, but more interested audience you could consider starting a blog or e-mail to update information once instead of multiple times. Responses to blog comments or e-mail responses can occur at a time convenient for the caregiver instead of each time a phone rings. Being in control of the required communications reduces anxiety and stress that comes with numerous interruptions during your day. I have found that using a blog for communication has also helped to reduce the problems with misinterpreting information as it is passed from one person to another. The blog or e-mail serves to be an "single source" of truth.
Medical History
A person who is severely ill usually requires numerous visits to doctors, specialists as well as hospitals. A common and frequent question by health care providers included medications that the patient takes. Secondary in frequency were concerns about other health professionals, insurance, pharmacies, past surgeries and allergies. Recording this information into an organized location, whether manually or electronically, ensures that you have all the relevant information readily available when needed. When it is maintained, this can help to reduce medical errors. Recalling information at the hospital or in an emergency can be difficult. It often leads to omission of critical information or sharing incorrect details. The other benefit is reduced stress level on the caretaker.
Medication List
A person who is severely ill frequently requires numerous medications. Again, if you record all medications to a single location along with a dosing schedule you help to avoid medication errors. This also lets you take on Elderly the responsibility of distributing medications with others when needed, giving you the freedom to share that workload and address other tasks. If maintained the list of medications provides an easy recall of information when requested by health care providers or emergency personnel.
Medicine Information
When taking many medications, the potential of side effects is significantly increased. Pharmacies provide medicine information sheets when they are dispensing medicines. Information on medicines is also accessible via the Internet. By putting all of the medical information in one location enables you to quickly access the information you require should you suspect that someone you care for is experiencing issues with their medications. With a serious illness you realize that many doctors are prescribing medication. This list will help you keep your doctors up-to-date so that you can avoid problems at the beginning. If an adverse reaction occurs, doctors usually are able to find other options for treatment.
Calendar
The person who is seriously ill often needs multiple health visits. I recommend using a calendar to keep track of every appointment. It doesn't matter whether you use either paper or electronic. Having the calendar available minimizes the difficulties of scheduling too many appointments in one day, or creating multiple appointments.
The tips I provide are revolutionary but each of these little organizing tips will add to a larger sum over time. Our minds are incredible but often overwhelmed when we try to address too many topics at one time or try to remember too many things. The ability to clear your mind of details lets you focus on the important subjects or other activities. Eliminating the mind from the details can help ease the anxiety you experience when taking care for your loved one.
Suddenly a Caregiver
Sharing a family's experience and lessons learned to guide you navigate the daunting task of being a caregiver for your family.