Caregiver Planning and Complicated Medicine Schedules
I have been the caregiver for a child with a rare condition for over 13 years. Recently, I spent some time caregiving for my mom after major surgery. Both of these experiences have made me aware of how important it is to have a medical plan whether you are the caregiver or the one needing some help.
In the case of temporary caregiving. My mom had printed out all of her medications and gathered them together so we could help with dosing during recovery. Post surgery, she was unable to help with when she took what med, and what they were for. I did have the release papers from the hospital and found they were less helpful than I had hoped.
In the end, we made a chart for her maintenance medications and supplements and a separate one for the post-op meds. It took some time researching what the meds were for, if any had interactions with the post-op meds, and if they had to be taken separately. I included the time of day to take, amount and purpose for taking. It also allowed us to document taper for pain meds.
It would have been very easy to administer a medication wrong, or worse give one that could have a serious interaction with post-op meds.
Another benefit of the chart was my sisters and I were taking turns caring for her and anyone could walk in and see what had happened with her medication. We also had a good record in case we had a complication and
There are many charts available online to download for free if you don't want to reinvent the wheel.
If you have a complicated medicine schedule or take medicines that can interact with common medical treatment, it is wise to carry your chart with you.
This is the plan for my son for when he is away from us. If he needed medical attention, even for a broken arm, his everyday medicines could change how the doctors choose to treat him. We are making a little chart to keep in his wallet.
“A man who does not plan long ahead will find trouble at his door.” ― Confucius, Chinese philosopher
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