Being a caregiver for someone seriously ill is difficult and time-consuming work. The new caregiver's task of taking on the responsibility of a new caregiver in an already hectic schedule is a challenge. This article offers some organizing strategies that will reduce time and effort to perform the tasks required and help to ease your anxiety at the same time.
Communication
In my time of caregiving, I discovered that communication with family and friends to update information was a daunting task. The same info multiple times takes time. If you want to share information with a wider, yet interested audience, consider creating a blog or e-mail to provide updates once instead of repeatedly. Responses to blog comments or e-mail replies can happen at a time that is convenient to the caregiver rather than each when a phone rings. Being in control of the required communications reduces anxiety and stress that comes with numerous interruptions during your day. I found that using a blog for communication also reduced the issues related to the misinterpretation of information when it goes between people. E-mails or blogs serve as an "single source" of truth.
Medical History
A seriously ill patient often requires numerous visits to specialists, doctors as well as hospitals. The most frequent and frequently asked questions from health professionals was about medication taken by the patient. In addition, there were frequent concerns regarding other health providers, insurance, pharmacies, past surgeries and allergies. Recording this information into an organized location, whether in writing or electronically will ensure that you have all the relevant information readily available when needed. If maintained, it helps to reduce medical errors. The task of recollecting information in a hospital or during an emergency can be difficult and often leads to omission of critical details or sharing incorrect details. The other benefit is less stressful experience for the caregiver.
Medication List
A person who is severely ill frequently requires multiple medications. If you record all medications to a single location together with a schedule for dosing, you can avoid mistakes with medication. Additionally, it allows you to share the responsibility of providing medications with others when needed and allows you to divide the burden and take on other tasks. When maintained the medication list will allow an easy recall of the information when requested by health professionals as well as emergency service personnel.
Medicine Information
If you are taking multiple medications, the chance of adverse reactions increases significantly. Pharmacies offer medicine information sheets for the medication they dispensate. The information on medicine is also available through the Internet. Keeping the medicine information together in one place allows you to find quickly the information you require, should you suspect that someone you care for is experiencing problems with medication. With a serious illness you find that a variety of doctors are prescribing medications. The list helps you keep all doctors informed so that you can avoid problems from the onset. If an adverse reaction does happen, doctors often have other medicine options.
Calendar
The person who is seriously ill often needs multiple health visits. I suggest keeping a schedule to keep track of every appointment. It doesn't matter whether you use an electronic or paper version. The calendar is accessible and reduces the issues of planning too much on one day or creating overlapping appointments.
None of the suggestions I provide are revolutionary Elderly but each of these small organizing tips will add to the end result in time. Our minds are amazing, but they are often overwhelmed when trying to tackle too many subjects at one time or try to recall too many details. The ability to clear your mind of the details allows you to concentrate on the most important subjects or other activities. Freeing the mind of the details also serves to reduce the anxiety you experience when carrying the responsibility of caring for your loved ones.
Suddenly a Caregiver
A family's story as well as lessons learnt to guide you through the unexpected obligation of being a caregiver for your family.