Being a caregiver for someone seriously ill is a challenging and time-consuming work. For the new caregiver, absorbing the new responsibility into the already hectic life of a caregiver can be overwhelming. This article offers some organizing strategies that will reduce time and effort to perform the essential tasks, and helps to lessen stress at the same time.
Communication
During my caregiving experience, I discovered that communication with family and friends to provide updates an overwhelming task. Sharing the same information several times is time-consuming. To communicate information to an even larger, but more interested audience you could consider starting blogs or email addresses to send out updates one time rather than multiple times. Responses to blog comments or e-mail responses can occur at a time convenient for the caregiver, rather than every time a phone rings. Gaining control over the needed communication reduces the anxiety and stress caused by many interruptions in your day. I found that using a blog for communication has also helped to reduce the problems related to the misinterpretation of information when it goes from one person to another. The blog or e-mail serves to be your "single source" of truth.
Medical History
A patient who is seriously ill often requires numerous visits to doctors, specialists as well as hospitals. A common and frequent question by health care professionals included medications taken by the patient. The most frequent were inquiries regarding other health providers and insurance companies prescriptions, surgeries, pharmacy visits and allergic reactions. Recording this information into a single location, either manually or electronically, makes sure you have all the information readily available when needed. When it is maintained, this can help to reduce medical errors. Trying to recall information at the hospital or during an emergency is difficult and often results in the omission of vital details or sharing incorrect details. The other benefit is less stressful experience of the person caring for.
Medication List
A seriously ill patient often requires numerous medication. If you track all medications in one place along with a dosing schedule you help to avoid mistakes with medication. Additionally, it allows you to take on the responsibility of distributing medications with others when needed which allows you to delegate that burden and take on other tasks. When maintained the list of medications provides an easy recall of information when requested by health care professionals and emergency services.
Medicine Information
If you are taking multiple medications, the potential of side Caregiving effects is significantly increased. Pharmacies offer medicine information sheets for the medication they dispensate. Information on medicines is also accessible on 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 problems with medication. When you have a serious health issue, you discover that several doctors prescribe medications. This list will help you keep your doctors up-to-date so that you can avoid problems before they occur. If an adverse reaction occurs, doctors typically are able to find other options for treatment.
Calendar
The patient who is severely ill usually requires numerous health care appointments. I recommend using a calendar to record each appointment. It doesn't matter whether it is a paper or electronic version. Having the calendar available minimizes the difficulties of planning too much on one day or creating overlaps in appointments.
None of the tips I share are revolutionary, however each of these little organizational tips add to a larger sum in time. Our minds are amazing, but they are often overwhelmed when we try to deal with too many issues at one time or try to keep track of too many things. Freeing the mind from details lets you focus on the important issues or other tasks. Eliminating the mind from the details also serves to reduce the anxiety you experience when you are responsible for caring for your loved ones.
Suddenly a Caregiver
Sharing a family's experience as well as lessons learnt to guide you deal with the unanticipated task of becoming a family caregiver.