Being Organized
OK, the photo may be a bit over the top, but I'm feeling this way today. Haven't we all had a moment like the one depicted?......
Alzheimer's/Dementia is giving me a master's class in organization, forcing me to become organized or drown in a sea of things I must know and information I need at my fingertips or I will go insane.
Trust me, you do not want to do what I did when this journey started: handwritten notes in my pants pockets deposited on my dresser top to be sorted through later when I was more awake.
Things that require the following information somehow ALWAYS happen while I'm at work.
Be prepared to access some of these things during any given work day...
In your caregiver spare time you need to know about and be able to access:
*Durable Power of Attorney papers
*Conservatorship papers
*Guardianship papers
*Do Not Resuscitate Orders
*Medical, Dental, Vision insurance PLUS Medicare etc - know what's covered and what's not and where the cards are located in the wallet.
*Do you want to change/upgrade any of the above? Have they simply changed without your knowledge, because mail goes to your loved one and they squirrel it away where they can't find it.....
*If bill paying/money has become a problem with your loved one and bills don't get paid on time - this could affect all kinds of insurances: Car, home, life, health. Make sure all of these are current.
*Stay on top of medications and refills
*Outdoor home maintenance
*who to call if the basement floods
Collect business cards everywhere you take your loved ones, doctors., dentist, hairdresser, NEW DOCTORS, handymen, lawn care guys, heating/cooling guys/loved one's neighbors phone numbers, cable company. Put them in your phone and/or a business card folio - you will need then far more than you think.
You'll need files too, physical as well as digital. Files for resources, legal paperwork, loved one's tax prep paperwork. Calendars are a must.
And now, I'm leaving to get my own self more organized for my mom. Time to take my own advice, I'm trying. So far I have 2 large decorative boxes of mom paperwork and her important phone numbers are on my phone. Now she has to quit changing the mailing address back to her place from the conservator and we'll be more on track.
Back to you Dreamer,
Voyageur xo