Are you a caregiver for a senior with dementia or another chronic health condition or they’re currently recovering from surgery? If so, do they have a care plan in place? When you provide care for an aging loved one, it’s always a good idea to plan ahead so you will have more time to make decisions, since you want to be proactive rather than reactive.When you have a care plan prepared, it can help you as well as family members with transitions and to have all the important information in one place. A good care plan should be created in consultation with your aging loved one, his or her doctor, and your family members. We hope that this article serves you as a resource in understanding what is a care plan, what’s included in a care plan, and when you should update it.

A care plan is a document to record needs, actions, and responsibilities. The care plan summarizes a person’s health conditions, specific care needs, treatments, lifestyle, and preferences. A care plan can help manage the risk and outline contingency plans so that patients, family members, caregivers, or other health professionals know what to do daily or in the event of a crisis. Here are some of the questions to consider when developing a loved one’s care plan:

• What is the current state of your loved one’s physical and mental health?
• Does your loved one have any dietary requirements or needs?
• Does your loved one have long-term care insurance?
• Does your loved one require any equipment or supplies, such as a wheelchair?
• Does your loved one need medical assistance, such as administering medications or changing dressings?
• Will he or she need assistance with day-to-day chores, such as meal preparation or housekeeping?
• What support does your family need so they can continue providing care, but can also have time to lead their own lives?

The Major Components of a Senior Care Plan

Medical

This should include details about when and how to give medications, any therapy appointments, a list of allergies, contact info for all doctors, and any other crucial medical information. Additionally, it’s best to name a point person to fill the role of medical Power of Attorney. This person will act as a liaison between the community and medical resources in the future.

Financial

A person with a strong financial understanding will excel as a point person as a financial power of attorney. This individual will make sure any bills will get paid and properly organized.

Daily care needs

If your loved one needs help with dressing, bathing, feeding, toileting, transferring, grooming, or continence care, those responsibilities should be clearly listed.

Driving, shopping, cooking, laundry, and other household chores

A common point of dispute between caregivers and employers is often how much housework the caregiver is expected to do while caring for your loved one. It’s best to list have these responsibilities listed from the beginning to avoid much less confusion.

A weekly or daily schedule of activities

This list can be minimal or structured as you wish. In addition, to meals, appointments, showers, getting dressed, and naps, a typical day might include activities such as:

• Take a walk or drive to the park.
• Work on crafts projects together.
• Invite family, friends, or neighbors over for tea.
• Look through photo albums and reminisce.

Regular Updates

For a care plan to continue to be beneficial to your loved one, they need to be updated periodically – or whenever a change in health or circumstances occurs. Some events that may warrant an update include:

• A health event, such as a stroke or heart attack
• Diagnosis of a medical condition, such as dementia or cancer
• Changes in the family’s ability to provide care
• Adding or decreasing care hours
• Adding, removing, or changing tasks the caregiver will perform

Although your loved one might not need a senior care plan right away, having these pieces of information can help eliminate a lot of stress and confusion in the future. As you consider all the resources that are available at your disposal, remember that LifeWorx can help meet the many needs your loved one may have, including the need for social interaction, personal care, and much more. Our care team will speak with you in-depth and help you determine what the best needs are for you and your family.