I have previously cared for my father on hospice for a few years and now a caregiver for my senior mother. Your blog has been very informative and simple things in your article that you suggest, such as keep a journal, are things I never thought of however helped me tremendously. Thank you!
One of the big problems I have with being organized is a parent who seems to have ADD. Never puts anything in the same place twice so I am always looking for hairbrush, dentures, etc. I do have a monthly pill systems which helps a lot and I keep all appointments on a calendar. Home Health aides also have a binder where they keep all the info.
One thing I want to add, for using an electronic calendar, is that you can set it up to send you alerts for reminders. I use it for my husband’s medications and appointments and it is seamless for me...everything gets ordered in time and I don’t forget about his appointments. It can give you up to two alerts; so for medication ordering I have it send me an alert 1 week before the date I need to order the meds and then another alert two days before, same thing with appointments: 1 week before the appointment and two days before. With the amount of meds and appointments to keep track of, one really does need an organized way of managing it, whether it’s a paper calendar or electronic, whatever works for you, otherwise it will be very difficult to keep up. Thanks for this article about being organized while caregiving. I picked up some very good suggestions that I plan to use.
I set aside a small desk in the corner of the room with just my Mom's medications, lists, phone numbers, etc. Nothing else was on this desk but things pertaining to her care. I kept a plastic file box under the desk for her bills, etc. that I managed. This kept things from getting mixed up with my other desk and our own bills, etc....
There are tools that can help get the personal, financial, medical and household records in order. I created MemoryBanc because just getting everything organized and understanding my parents assets, accounts and details was overwhelming. It won the AARP Foundation "Older Adult Focused Innovation" and comes as a workbook that prompts the user through the process. I hope you will consider recommending a tool to help families organize this information. It was invaluable because it allowed me to hand it over to a sibling when they came into give me a break from caregiving.
This was a great article. I'm fairly organized (ok, I'm very type A, I can admit it). I do many of these things already. One thing that I found helpful is creating a folder in my iPhone photos and I take a picture of my parents medical cards and all other items one might need at the doctors or hospital. Also, I have attached to my notes on my iPhone all my parents Meds and allegories. I have have a folder that has all hard copies of these items plus thie Living Will and DPOA. Would love to see more posts like this. When your loved one is ill, it's often very stressful and you can't think what you need. As long as I have my phone and my folder, I have everything I need for them. Thank you!
I'm glad you like the tips. I agree with you about the hard copy of vitals - it helps us, helps our loved ones and truly helps the EMRs and medical people. Keeping things up to date can seem like a pain, but in the end it saves everyone time. Take care, Carol
Most excellent advice and thank you. I can testify to the hard copy of vitals handover to medical personnel. I started this many years ago when having to tell six different people the same story each time there was an episode. I now carry updated multiple copies at all times just so I don't have to repeat myself and LEAVE them with staff. No one must ask me anything, it's all there in black / white and I don't get hoarse or frustrated nearly as much. Anything to streamline our responsibilities is a good tool.
A few of the things I've found that really work for me… re meds: I use CVS because they have an online presence that I can access from my smartphone… I can order refills for Mom just by clicking a couple of boxes; easy to set up and use account; also I use a combined view that lets me order my meds at the same time; CVS also has an auto-fill process so that you don't have to do the routine med ordering; my CVS also delivers (wonderful on a really cold winter day); when my order is ready for pick up, I get a text message (eliminates me having to call to find out if rx is ready)… when I set up Mom's meds into the little strip of daily boxes, I count out loud to make sure I am putting those little pills in the right box because Mom likes to sit with me while I am setting up her meds and hearing me counting reminds her not to talk to me at that moment, otherwise her chatter could distract me and I could make a med error… when we visit the doctor, I make sure her med list is accurate in the dr's computer and after we are done, I get extra copies of the after visit summary (AVS); I keep one copy on her walker basket for quick access if I am not with her (for example, at day care); I also keep a copy of the summary in my purse for all kinds of questions… re notes to her dr, I find it more productive to use the mychart app; it is a way of secure messaging her dr about non-emergent issues; some of the issues I've emailed Mom's dr about: med changes made by other drs, blood pressure or blood sugar readings for several days when we are adjusting meds, and requests for referrals to other specialities; I can email any of her providers anytime I have a few minutes to myself and not have to worry about whether or not her nurse got down everything I wanted the dr to know… re connection with Mom's home care nurse and home care aide, these people can eithet call me or text me to set up arrival times, etc, but I prefer text messaging because it's in writing and that means it is one less thing for me to remember… re important paperwork, I have a small accordian file that I carry in my purse; copies of the AVS, the POA, advance directive and POLST orders;… these are a few of the things that are working for me, of course the rest of my life is a mess, LOL… hope a bit of this helps someone, good luck!
Rigjt now my Dad is still capable of handling all the prescription med details. But this information has prompted me to put a plan in place for me to become versed in all the prescribed meds and the when and how to reorder. I am the live in stay at home professional son/caregiver for mom & pops. The One thing I'm not in charge of thus far is the prescribed med side of things,so thank you for the encouragement and advice.
Suggestion . . . I am handicapped. Use walker. I wear smocks with pockets. Carry mugs with caps in pockets to free up both hands. Put food items in sandwich bags and carry in pockets. Carry wireless phone in pocket. Uses are limitless. A great help to me. I wear small flat bag, hangs from neck with medical, social security, ID cards, glasses, handicap parking placard and small amount of money for co-pay.
I wish these articles had a print button, like on other sites, so it would print just the article in a readable font. I have to copy all the text, paste to Word and enlarge the font so it can be read.
How timely! I just spent the entire weekend plus the past three days getting the documentation I knew I'd need 'someday' for 'someone'. Turns out, people were right in that rehab only gives a person two/three days advance knowledge of when Medicare stops.
I can't for the life of me understand why I just didn't get the binders, label them, and each time something came in, just put them in there. But I didn't. I had a large box where I'd throw the 'stuff' for 'someday', because I was either too stressed or too tired to even open them at some points.
I did have the organization of meds, daily activity, etc., plus organized bedtimes, nap times, tv times, etc. It helped her tremendously.
All I can say, Ms. Bursack, if you are some sort of Saint having cared for some many people. One is enough for me :)
Hi Lep, The backup part is the hardest. I can relate with the migraines - it's hard to do anything at all when you have one. You said no friends and family are close. You could call your local Area Agency on Aging and ask if they have backup. Another thing that is often overlooked but is different in every state is Human Services. The problem is figuring out who provides some of these services. In my community they actually have had to waste some respite care dollars (not dependent on financial need) because people having know that this help is available. You could try your state website. Just type your state name and then the word "aging" into your browser. That should bring up a lot of links. If you can find something similar to the National Family Caregiver Support Program, try them. Every state has a version but sometimes the name is different and the programs vary. Good luck. I hope that you find something. Carol
this might be a minor detail but i dont suggest riding in an ambulance with anyone. let the elder blame the ambulance operators for their abduction and you are off the hook. another reason is you are riding to a hospital and leaving yourself without transportation which is the first thing you need to begin remote support of the patient. lastly, i dont suggest doing telephone business with docs office. ive always had better results by walking in and talking to humans. getting your dusty a**, mortar covered clothing out of their office becomes the highest priority of their day. he
@uwssenior. Great ideas. But don't open a card under your name, open it under the person you are caring for with yourself as secondary. Otherwise you are financially &legally responsible for it. Also, I am having problems with the DNC list. We signed up years ago, but the calls are non-stop. I've started reporting them (thank God for caller ID! I even went in and signed up again. No success. Keep a log of the people who call & report them. They can be fined up to $5K, I believe. My Mom never answers her phone & it's driving me nuts. I just put a "No Solicitors" sign up too.
Phil: the hospital should have required the Power of Attorney before they even spoke to you. Thank Fod, Kaiser has it in their system. I think your ideas are great. I'm so overwhelmed though, I haven't done it. I will put it on my every growing to-do list!
Thanks everyone. Really appreciate the great ideas.
How do I find back-up relief? I suffer from chronic migraines & called EMS last week as I had taken medication for it and Ambien. I wasn't thinking clearly or I wouldn't have called a $2 PPP taxi (EMS), how do I find someone. Family and friends are too far away.
Great ideas, uwssenior! I was hoping that people would add their ideas to this article. There's so much collective wisdom in the community that we all gain by tapping into it. Take care, Carol
Great article, thank you! Another organizing stress reducer option for the caregiver is to go green and get paperless bills from all insurance companies, utilities, credit cards etc. Not having to open 50 envelopes, read, file or shred them is a huge relief each month. And at tax time, having pdf /digital statements is a lot easier to deal with.
Opening a dedicated credit card in your name with your loved one as an additional card holder account with yourself as the designated manager is also great for tracking expenses, spending and paperwork-- twice as great when you also are paperless on this. Several companies offer year end summary statements which make tax prep and accounting super easy. American Express is one of these companies that offer great online options for managing accounts. If the credit card is a rewards, points or cash back product, points earned can help cover and reduce some of the basic caregiving expenses by accruing points for caregiving purchases, like medications, supplies, household items, food ,etc.
Finally, sign up for the Do Not Call and Do Not Mail list, for your loved one and yourself. Sales calls waste time, energy and patience, and too often are scams. Seniors are too often the targets of spam mailings and calls, and too many companies resell your info and perpetuate the steady stream of paper and phone crapola that floods our lives. Phones ringing with bogus credit card rate reduction scams can also agitate your loved one or, worse, they can answer and perhaps give away sensitive info out to a scam artist.
I'm glad that I offered helpful information. Phil, your comments are very welcome since you are on the other side, so to speak. Great to hear your tips.
Angelwhispers, I agree that we tend to panic. My first trip in an ambulance with my poor dad makes me shudder now because I think I was more upset than he was. The ambulance attendants must have thought I was a nut. I grew to know more with time, however : ) Carol
This was a very good article with very necessary information about keeping records of meds. dosages and times, as well about having a personal medical information prepared in case of emergencies. It doesn't matter how organized you feel that you are when an emergency is happening we all tend to panic and in that moment you can lose your train of thought as to where things are. This takes away valuable time for both you and the professionals at hand, where as having things ready to go will make a much smoother process. Keeping a journal daily as things transpire as small as the detail may seem at the time may be key to what is taking place in an emergency.
Hi Carol That is very good advise. Especially if a person receiving care is admitted to hospital via ambulance. For the medical team to quickly assess and form a plan really depends on how much information can be provided. I found nursing homes only give limited information that delays diagnosis. Whereas people cared for at home usually have a great handover sheet. One thing to note: If you are being admitted to an emergency department time is limited so having an A4 cover sheet with dot points of everything in the journal as well as past medical history and what is in the Power of attorney document . Makes treating a person more efficient. Take Care Phill
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Strategies for Getting (and Staying) Organized While Caregiving
Take care,
Carol
I can testify to the hard copy of vitals handover to medical personnel. I started this many years ago when having to tell six different people the same story each time there was an episode. I now carry updated multiple copies at all times just so I don't have to repeat myself and LEAVE them with staff. No one must ask me anything, it's all there in black / white and I don't get hoarse or frustrated nearly as much. Anything to streamline our responsibilities is a good tool.
I wear small flat bag, hangs from neck with medical, social security, ID cards, glasses, handicap parking placard and small amount of money for co-pay.
I'm running Windows 8 on Internet Explorer. The printable, non advertisement page can be printed.
Also, you can try your printer icon to see if it does the same thing.
Go to Tools along the top bar, then down to Zoom (if available) ....
And yes, I agree with you.
I wish we also had Edit, Delete, and Print.
I can't for the life of me understand why I just didn't get the binders, label them, and each time something came in, just put them in there. But I didn't. I had a large box where I'd throw the 'stuff' for 'someday', because I was either too stressed or too tired to even open them at some points.
I did have the organization of meds, daily activity, etc., plus organized bedtimes, nap times, tv times, etc. It helped her tremendously.
All I can say, Ms. Bursack, if you are some sort of Saint having cared for some many people. One is enough for me :)
The backup part is the hardest. I can relate with the migraines - it's hard to do anything at all when you have one. You said no friends and family are close. You could call your local Area Agency on Aging and ask if they have backup. Another thing that is often overlooked but is different in every state is Human Services. The problem is figuring out who provides some of these services. In my community they actually have had to waste some respite care dollars (not dependent on financial need) because people having know that this help is available. You could try your state website. Just type your state name and then the word "aging" into your browser. That should bring up a lot of links. If you can find something similar to the National Family Caregiver Support Program, try them. Every state has a version but sometimes the name is different and the programs vary. Good luck. I hope that you find something.
Carol
lastly, i dont suggest doing telephone business with docs office. ive always had better results by walking in and talking to humans. getting your dusty a**, mortar covered clothing out of their office becomes the highest priority of their day. he
Phil: the hospital should have required the Power of Attorney before they even spoke to you. Thank Fod, Kaiser has it in their system. I think your ideas are great. I'm so overwhelmed though, I haven't done it. I will put it on my every growing to-do list!
Thanks everyone. Really appreciate the great ideas.
Take care,
Carol
Another organizing stress reducer option for the caregiver is to go green and get paperless bills from all insurance companies, utilities, credit cards etc. Not having to open 50 envelopes, read, file or shred them is a huge relief each month. And at tax time, having pdf /digital statements is a lot easier to deal with.
Opening a dedicated credit card in your name with your loved one as an additional card holder account with yourself as the designated manager is also great for tracking expenses, spending and paperwork-- twice as great when you also are paperless on this. Several companies offer year end summary statements which make tax prep and accounting super easy. American Express is one of these companies that offer great online options for managing accounts. If the credit card is a rewards, points or cash back product, points earned can help cover and reduce some of the basic caregiving expenses by accruing points for caregiving purchases, like medications, supplies, household items, food ,etc.
Finally, sign up for the Do Not Call and Do Not Mail list, for your loved one and yourself. Sales calls waste time, energy and patience, and too often are scams. Seniors are too often the targets of spam mailings and calls, and too many companies resell your info and perpetuate the steady stream of paper and phone crapola that floods our lives. Phones ringing with bogus credit card rate reduction scams can also agitate your loved one or, worse, they can answer and perhaps give away sensitive info out to a scam artist.
consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0262-stopping-unsolicited-mail-phone-calls-and-email
Thanks again!
Angelwhispers, I agree that we tend to panic. My first trip in an ambulance with my poor dad makes me shudder now because I think I was more upset than he was. The ambulance attendants must have thought I was a nut. I grew to know more with time, however : )
Carol
That is very good advise. Especially if a person receiving care is admitted to hospital via ambulance. For the medical team to quickly assess and form a plan really depends on how much information can be provided. I found nursing homes only give limited information that delays diagnosis. Whereas people cared for at home usually have a great handover sheet.
One thing to note: If you are being admitted to an emergency department time is limited so having an A4 cover sheet with dot points of everything in the journal as well as past medical history and what is in the Power of attorney document . Makes treating a person more efficient.
Take Care
Phill