Hey Caregivers!
Today, we're diving into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of caregiving: documenting your loved one's medical history in real time. By documenting real-time changes in your loved one's health, you'll be helping their medical professionals make better decisions in their care plans and improve their quality of life.
Caring for a chronically ill loved one can be challenging as their health can change day to day. This has been very true in my own experience of caring for my epileptic husband. One thing that has helped me immensely is documenting any changes I see as they happen. Not only does this help me remember critical details, but it ensures as much information as possible is shared with his medical team. Remember, as a caregiver, you are essentially the eyes and ears of your loved one's medical professionals. The information you provide helps them make better decisions for your loved one's care.
1. Major Health Events:
- New diagnoses, surgeries, or hospitalizations.
- Was the event related to a current health issue or is it something new?
2. Changes in Treatment:
- Any changes in new or existing medications in terms of dose or frequency or any therapies they receive.
- Be sure to update medication changes to any other doctors or specialists to avoid drug interactions.
3. Health Checkups:
- Document annual wellness visits and any follow-up appointments.
- Note any changes in medications, treatments, or further testing recommended by the doctor.
4. Lab Results:
- Record routine and emergency lab results.
- Document any adjustments to any medications based on those results.
5. Medications:
- Track any changes in dosage, frequency, and rules for administration.
- Be sure to document any known medication allergies and details on what symptoms your loved one has when they have a reaction.
6. Symptoms and Daily Observations:
- Note any new or worsening symptoms, even if they seem minor.
- Examples might include changes in appetite, mood, or energy levels.
I understand that keeping track of your loved one's medical history can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t have prior healthcare experience. But it doesn’t have to be complicated. Using tools like Google Docs to document everything in real-time can make it easier to update and share with other members of your caregiving team.
And if you're struggling to create this system, I offer $97 calls where I help you organize your loved one’s medical history. In just an hour, we’ll compile all the necessary information into a Google Doc that you can update moving forward. This document will be accessible across all devices, making it easy to keep track of everything on the go.
Documenting your loved one's medical history in real-time is a game-changer for managing their illness and ensuring their medical professionals have the most updated information to make the best decisions for your loved one’s care. While it may seem daunting at first, creating a systematic approach can make it manageable and even straightforward.
Start implementing these documentation tips today or if you need personalized help, book a 911 Response Blueprint call with me today to get started!
Have questions or want to share your experiences? Comment below or DM me on Instagram. Let's navigate this caregiving journey together!
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