10 Steps to Organized Caregiving

No one wakes up and says, “I think today I will take care of someone.”  Most family caregivers are thrust into the role without any notice or training and it’s usually when a close family member suddenly becomes ill or has an accident. We don’t plan or train for caregiving, which results in most of us entering uncharted caregiver territory with a “What the heck do I do now?” feeling. Where’s the instruction manual?!

I became a caregiver for my father in a year when my youngest was born, my then husband became my ex, and I was working full time. Luckily for me, health care is my career. As most family members who have some health care experience know, that made me the one in charge. After my father passed away my mother became my responsibility for many more years to come. Even with my extensive career in health care administration and home health care, I still had things to learn about being a sandwich generation caregiver.

Every situation is different. There are family dynamics including economics, logistics, and familial relationships that affect all aspects of each situation and make each solution unique.   

It’s easy to become overwhelmed as a new caregiver.  We are here to help you make sense of all things caregiving. The first step I’d like you to take is to just breathe! The next step is to begin the process of developing your care strategy with your Caregiver Plan.  

“10 Steps to Organized Caregiving” will guide you along your caregiver journey through planning and resources. 

Here’s what this guide includes:

Your Unique Plan

“10 Steps to Organized Caregiving” guides you through creating a custom-built comprehensive plan of care. It includes worksheets for the following categories:

• Emergency Information
• Financial 
• Medical 
• Medication  
• Dietary

• Legal
• Safety
• Support System
• Activities of Daily Living
• Activity Ideas