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1. Keep records of all medications and
reactions: make notes about what works, what doesn’t and when you
informed the physician of any problems.
2. Keep records of all doctor
appointments: the reason for the visit, the doctor’s responses to our
concerns, any procedures performed, etc.
3. Start or continue to maintain
copies of medical records for your loved one, and for yourself, as well.
These will be beneficial should a grievance arise or if there are
questions about medical histories.
4. Plan for the unexpected: discuss
plans and wishes of everyone involved in the caregiving family. Talk
about final resting places and what arrangements your family will want.
5. Have an Advance Directive filled
out and given to the primary physician and all relatives who may need
the form.
6. Have a Last Will and Testament
completed or updated: without a signed Will, the courts will decide how
to distribute the possessions of your loved ones.
7. Keep a record of where
all-important documents are kept. When an emergency or tragedy occurs,
locating information should not be where we spend our thoughts and
energies.
8. Record all monetary involvements:
investments, resources creditors, debtors, business transactions, etc.
9. Have an insurance analysis done: is
your home, life and health insurance still appropriate for your family’s
needs? What about the insurance policies for your loved ones? Do you all
have enough coverage to take care of any eventuality? Do you have
provisions for Long Term Care? For respite care? Is your house
adequately covered given the state of the weather patterns?
10. Clean out the medicine chest. Look
for expiration dates on all medicine, and check with your doctor about
previous medications which will either be harmful with current
prescriptions or which are no longer effective for your or your loved
one. Not only will you save space, you might also save a life. |
