TRACKING TASKS WITH OUR OLDER LOVED ONES

As our parents get older (into their mid 80ʼs and 90ʼs), we often find ourselves assisting in aspects of their lives that they used to be able to maintain themselves. Because they are aging perhaps their eyes may begin to fail, or their hearing or they may need more assistance with things like finances, insurance, medication management, and doctor’s visits. If your parents are still living at home but with home care services, the home care provider will most likely be taking them to doctors’ appointments. To keep a strong authority and management presence over the household with the home care providers, I suggest keeping close contact with your parents in person or via the phone. During these conversations taking veracious notes, it’s simply too easy to forget details in stressful times. Email is also a good way to track things in writing. Below are sample forms I’ve developed based on my experiences with working with clients:

Calls to Make:
Project: Call home health agency – Help is on the way service, INC
Date: 2/5/07
Objective: Arrange for home health aide to check in on mom 1x a week
Outcome: made contact with an intake person who will come to the house on Thursday the 10th of February for an introductory session with mom.
Contact: Julie Bryer Phone #: 206-555-1982
Notes: have a list of mom’s medical issues ready as well as her insurance information
Name of care taker/home care provider services: Help is on the way services, INC
Date: 2/15/07
Because Mom is going to need additional care, I spoke with care director Arlene; she is going to send over a new girl this weekend: Connie Bart. Connie and I are going to meet ahead of time so I can overview my parents care with her. (Remember to bring a welcome packet to her).

Care taker/home care provider # 1 Judy Bryer
Date: 2/10/07
Mom will need to have additional care during evenings due to her hip problems.
Judy has asked me to make Mom an appointment with her Doctor so that he can recommend a PT. Dad is taking too much pain medication, will need to discuss this with doctor (add this to the questions/comments section below).

Care taker/home care provider #2: Connie Bart
Date: 2/18/07
Dad woke up 6 times during the evening. Connie is concerned that it has to do with anxiety. I will speak to the Dr. at our next appointment about this.
Mom is still in a lot of pain due to her bad hip, I am anxious for her to start PT.
Notes from Book keeper/CPA Date:03/05/07
Taxes issues:
Ask about social security.
Questions to ask during our meeting:
Spending:
Ask her if I should add up the expenses of the following:
Medications
Medical bills
co-pays
Dr. notes from dr. visit - Mom
Name of Doctor: Dr. Phorthax
Date: 2/23/07
Medication issues: n/a
New doctor referral: Dr. looked over Mom’s hip and suggested PT. We are going to start setting up appointments next week – be sure to arrange care takers to take her to the appointments. (Go to the first PT appointment to talk with the PT and request notes and handouts, and let them know a caretaker will be coming instead of me.)