RespiteMatch.com Health Blog

Questions to Ask

Is the care recipient receiving proper medical care?
If not, what can be done to improve medical care?
Can the care recipient
manage his/her/their own personal care?
handle house-keeping and home maintenance duties?
move freely and safely in and out of the house?
drive or have easy access to transportation?
manage his/her/their own finances?
make sound decisions?
continue living at home?if, what housing options exist?

Are there family members, friends and neighbours who can help?
What publicly funded professional, community and commercial resources are available? Are there co-payments for these services?
What services are privately available? What are the associated costs?
How will the care be financed if publicly funded services are not available?
Who will be responsible for what?
How will you manage care at a distance?
Should you consider relocation?
If relocating, who is going to move?
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Steps to Take

Make a thorough assessment of the situation
Arrange for a medical assessment, including a cognitive assessment by a family physician or specialist if necessary
Determine what care services are needed
Find out about available community resources
Seek help from local health departments and community agencies or private care managers
Find out who is available to provide help — family members, friends and acquaintances
Identify areas where you may need professional assistance
Draw up a list of care options
Discuss the pros and cons associated with each option
Develop a care plan
Discuss the care plan with the care recipient, family members, and the health care team, as necessary
If publicly funded services are not available, assistance from private care managers may also be available for a fee. Be sure to research associated costs.
Determine who will provide which service, how often, for how long
Adjust the care plan, as circumstances change
Investigate housing and relocation options
Learn at-home coping strategies to manage care at a distance.
Learn about helpful products and devices
Contact health associations and organizations that offer information, advice, and support for long-distance caregiving
A social worker or care manager can work with you to make the assessment, develop the care plan and facilitate access to programs and services. The social worker can also mediate in family discussions.
Create a care log or binder to keep track of important information.

Care Binder

notes and observations on the care recipient’s health status, e.g., medical information such as health conditions, medications, recent injuries, accidents, etc.
vontact names, numbers and addresses of the professional care providers
list of relevant community resources
contact names, numbers and addresses of the informal network of friends, family members and others providing care
travel information
legal, financial, insurance information
any other relevant documents
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At-home Coping Strategies

Discuss the care plan with family members. Explore ways to share caregiving responsibilities
Adjust the care plan, as circumstances change
Introduce yourself to the professional care providers — family physician, home care worker, nursing home staff, and others
Develop an informal care network. Ask relatives, friends and neighbours to look in on the care recipient on a regular basis and call you collect if they notice problems
Keep in touch with the formal and informal caregivers. Make sure they know how to reach you, in case of emergency
Look for savings plans and discounts for long-distance telephone and travel
Prepare for emergencies. Be ready to travel at a moment’s notice — have car in good repair; valid driver’s licence and auto insurance; current bus, train, airline schedules; passport and travel documents in good order
Plan for the future. Discuss and make legal and financial arrangements.
Be realistic about the care recipient’s care requirements
Be realistic about how much care you can provide
Look for ways to balance your long distance caregiving responsibilities against your other obligations, such as your health, family and work
Develop a support group of friends, fellow caregivers and, if necessary, professional counselors to whom you can turn

As long as the care recipient is capable, have him or her make as many decisions as possible.
Remember that the person has been used to being independant. Discuss caregiving issues in a sensitive manner.
Establish a routine. Call or visit on a regular basis.
Seek help from members of the care recipient’s social network or faith community.
Arrange power of attorney so that financial and legal decisions remain within the family.
Register someone with Alzheimer Disease with the Alzheimer Wandering Registry.

Helpful Products

MedicAlert bracelet
A custom-engraved bracelet listing illnesses, allergies, reactions to medicine

Personal emergency response system:
a device that summons help from telephone emergency services when the wearer presses a button