MANAGING PAPER FOR SOMEONE YOU NEED TO TAKE CARE OF IN THIS ISSUE, WE WILL

Many of my clients are helping their older parents. Here are some tips to avoid common problems.

Have a list of their medications – if your parent or loved one has begun to show signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s be sure to have directions for their medications affixed in a prominent place, like the bathroom mirror. It should describe medicine, how to take it, when to take it, and when not to take it. For example, it may be a medicine to take as needed, not a daily dosage. You can also create a check list for each day of the week for them so that they do not take a dose twice.



Have their medical records handy – this should include the following:

• Surgeries
  
  
• Medical diagnosis’s
  
  
• Emergency room diagnosis’s
  
  
• List of allergies to medicines
  
  
• Prior care instructions
  
  
• Current care instructions
  
  
• Blood tests
  
  
• Doctor’s notes
  
  
• Minor medical procedures
  

Have their crucial documents in specified places –You need to be able to get to their will, living will, and power of attorney. Be sure to write down where these important documents are, so that the whole family will know where they are. There should be additional files at the following places: your parent, or loved one’s lawyers’ office, in a safe deposit box and another copy with another family member that you trust.

History of prescriptions – A history documenting your loved one’s prescriptions is really important. It will help any new specialist you take them to understand their patient better, plus make the doctors appointment go smoother. It will also give them an understanding of what methods of medications you have tried, what combination of medicines you have taken, the side effects and what has worked, and what hasn’t.

A note book carrying key information – Include the following:

• Notes on doctor visits.
  
  
• Doctors comments after minor procedures, or emergency room visit.
  
  
• A printed off copy of what medicines your loved one is one, so that you can either fill out the informational sheet they require you to fill out with every visit, or you can give them a copy that you have already typed out. It depends on the doctors’ office and what their policies are.
  
  
• Dental records.
  
  
• Psychological/Psychiatric test results if applicable – this would be preferable if they are being treated with an SSRI (http://neuroland.com/psy/ssri.htm) medications such as depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental diseases.Test results for mental diagnoses such as Alzheimer's, and dementia.