Has Your Family Planned for Home Care?

Make planning home care for your senior parent or relative in Newington, CT, less stressful by organizing important information

Before you take on the role of your loved one's caregiver or hire a professional care provider, there are many things you need to sort out. Planning for home care is essential not just because it can save you a lot of time, money, and energy down the road but also because it can allow you to have a set system for emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.

While you may not be able to plan for every single scenario, with proper organization, you can stay in control of your loved one's home care no matter the situation. Being organized can also help you improve communication with caregivers and healthcare providers as you will be prepared to answer their questions and provide them with clear instructions. Finally, by staying organized, you can be a better caregiver for your loved one and reduce the stress that comes with caregiving or managing care.

Let us take a look at some simple tips that can help you get organized for care:

Make Lists

The first step in getting organized for home care is making lists for all the important tasks and activities that need to be done. You need to pay special attention to your loved one's legal and financial matters. In addition to making a list of things that need to be done, you should have the names, phones, and addresses of anyone you might need to talk to about your loved one in one easily accessible place.

Make Copies of All Medical Documents

You never know when your loved one might need medical attention, so it is vital to have all their medical papers and bills sorted out and stored in a safe place.

Have a Master Schedule

While home care is often unpredictable, you should develop a schedule and try to stick to it. Of course, it may not always be possible to do all the tasks you planned to do, but if you have a schedule, you can check it out from time to time and see if you forgot to do something really important.

Have a File System

To prevent paperwork from pilling up and you being unable to locate important documents when you need them, you should develop a file system with medical bills, legal papers, financial documents, and other resources significant for home care.

Keep a Call Log

Write down the names and phone numbers of everyone you talk to regarding your loved one's care. You can also jot down brief snippets of what the call was about, so in case of any problems, you will know who to contact.

Have an Emergency Plan

Emergencies happen when we least expect them. While no one wants to think about them, it is of crucial importance to have a plan in case something bad happens.

When it comes to home care, organization is vital to reducing stress and improving your loved one's experience. You can start with a system as soon as your loved one starts with care, so if you need some time off from caregiving or need additional help, family members or professionals can easily step in.

Visiting Angels of Newington, CT, is a leading provider of non-medical in-home care services for seniors. Our office serves Hartford County, Waterbury, and Springfield, MA. To learn more about the in-home living assistance services provided by our staff of compassionate caregivers, please call our Newington office at (860) 215-2391 or contact us for more information.