It's All About the Papers!

Now that you have made the commitment to take charge of your loved one's care or your life, let's get down to the real nitty-gritty. There are several things you will need to make your task much simpler. One of the best ways to organize all the pieces of paper you are going to need to track is just a simple 3 ring notebook. Yes...one like we used in school way back when. I would choose a notebook in a bright color so that it will stand out making it easier to find in case of an emergency. Get some dividers and protective sleeves, and we are ready to begin!

First let's talk about documents (or copies) you will need to keep:

1. Copies of both front and back of Medicare and any other insurance cards. You need the backside copied too because it will have all of the contact information you will need. Also include a copy of the Social Security card.
2. Power of Attorney (POA) papers. Yes, it is important to have a durable Power of Attorney. This will allow you to make medical decisions, handle banking, and more. Please consult an attorney to ensure that you have the correct paperwork in place. 
3. Living Will, if there is one. This allows you to know your loved ones wishes regarding feeding tubes, ventilators, and CPR status. 
4. Copies of any long term care policies.
5. Copy of any military discharge papers in case your person may qualify for VA benefits.
6. Information on bank accounts (account numbers, which bank, stocks, bonds and other financial information)
7. Current medication list with dosages and administration times. 
8. List of physicians and their phone numbers and addresses.
9. The name, address and phone number of the attorney who wrote the will or will be handling the estate.
10. Name, address and phone number of the preferred funeral home. This is a good time to clarify if the funeral has been pre-planned.
11. Any other important phone numbers or contact information for minister, distant family members, or others you may need to contact in an emergency.
12. You may have other documents such as a birth certificate or marriage license that you would like to keep here too. 

Place all of your documents in the protective sleeves and file them in your binder. This will keep them all together in a place that is readily accessible. The first 4 items you will need in the event of hospitalization or if your loved one goes to a rehab or long-term care facility. Having this binder will save you a lot of headaches and stress. There is nothing like trying to find where Grandma put her insurance cards when you are in the middle of an emergency!

Take Charge!

As the new year starts, it's time to take charge! What does that mean to you? Maybe it's time to take charge of your own health and well-being...put yourself first for a change. Or maybe it's time to step in and take charge for your loved one living with dementia.

• Begin my making a list to get organized.
•  Do you know the medications your loved one takes? Are they taking them as prescribed?
• Which doctors do they routinely see?
• List their ongoing medical issues. 
• Make notes to take with you to the next doctor's appointment.
• Be sure to note any changes you have observed including any new or worsening behavior.
• You might want to alert the doctor prior to the scheduled appointment of any concerns you have. 
• Do you need a life alert system? Some of these even come with a GPS monitoring system to help you locate someone if they should wander away from home.
• Organize your army. By this I mean get your support system in place. Don't rely on people knowing what you need. Give them specific jobs or tasks to help with. 
• Keep your sense of humor. Laughter will get you through some really tough spots.
• Evaluate the driving safety of your loved one. The confusion of dementia can lead to major problems while driving. Have a doctor help with the evaluation if necessary. 

Now that you have some tips to get started, take some time to relax. How about a glass of wine and a warm relaxing bath...