Deborah DeCairos Grandmaitre, M.Ed., CCC

Canadian Certified Counsellor

Keep a diary/notebook to help you remember changes in health status, events, and appointments. You may wish to refer to your diary in an emergency situation.
Have a list of the medications (if any) on hand, and in case of an emergency, take the medication bottle(s) with you to the hospital.
Be informed about their medical condition/disability. What is normal, what is abnormal?
List emergency and frequently called numbers by their telephone.
Be familiar with legal/financial issues (if applicable) (i.e. power of attorney).
Help them remain independent by letting them do as much as they can for themselves.
Become familiar with the community help available.
Know the physician, the pharmacist, the dentist, other service providers and Community Health Centre in your area.
Have a back-up plan for care in case you are sick, or unable to keep a commitment (e.g. another caregiver on your team, which may be a family member, friend, relative, clergy, etc.). Keep a list of these people handy, for when you need them to help out on short notice.
Encourage good communication.
Take care of yourself!

Have your diary/notebook handy.
Write down your questions ahead of time.
Prepare to invest time. Finding the right answer/person may take longer than expected.
Have personal numbers handy (e.g. OHIP card, etc.).
Be patient. You might have to repeat your story, or you may be put on hold or transferred.
Record name and extension of the resource person and write down comments/impressions.
Be specific, polite but firm.
Phone in the morning or right after lunch.
Speak up - never assume others know what you need.
If you have to go for a meeting, ask what you need to take with you.
If at first you don't succeed, try again!

References