Home Hospice Care: How to Stay Organized as a Caregiver

Are you a caregiver to someone who needs palliative care in California?Home hospice care can be very lonely at times. It’s a difficult and overwhelming task, but you should know you aren’t alone. It’s estimated that around 1.6 million people needed hospice care in 2018.We are here to give you some organizational tools that will help you as you care for your loved one. Below, you are going to read about in-home hospice care and how to make it easier for everyone involved.

Create a Plan

One way to stay organized is to write down a plan. This information could include medication schedules, appointments, dietary restrictions, and other pertinent information.Sitting down to create a plan can be very overwhelming. We recommend starting small.Start by writing down a list of goals that you and your loved one want to reach. Then move on to the more complex topics.Having a plan written down will give you a reference point if you ever can’t remember something or just need a refresher. Having a written plan will also help you relay information to others.

Be Flexible

Having a plan is great, but you must stay flexible. When you’re taking care of someone who needs home hospice care, things can change very quickly. Being able to change and adjust will help.This will also help you prepare for the unexpected and reduce the risk of something going wrong.

Maintain a Calendar 

Having a calendar to track your loved one’s appointments and medication schedules is key. You’ll be able to set reminders for yourself, so you don’t forget important tasks.Your loved one who needs hospice care at home likely has a lot of medications and appointments. You likely won’t be able to remember them all on your own. Having a calendar will give you peace of mind and you won’t risk missing anything important.

Make a Medication Management System

Take your time developing a medication management system that works best for you. You can use pill organizers and medication dispensers and even set reminders on your phone, so you don’t forget any of them.You should also keep a list of medications, dosages, and potential side effects. This will help you be prepared for anything, and you’ll have access to the information quickly if a medical provider needs it.

Don’t Forget About Yourself

When you’re caring for someone else, it’s easy to forget about yourself.You won’t be able to stay organized and provide the best care possible if you neglect your own health. Be sure to schedule time for you. You must reset or you won’t be able to keep everything in order for your loved one.

Home Hospice Care

Staying organized is one of the hardest parts of providing home hospice care. There are a lot of factors to consider and a lot of elements that need your attention.Don’t worry, we are here to help you and your loved one stay organized and healthy. Give us a call or send us a message here so we can help you.