Does anyone know of a list of information I should have on hand for my FIL that we are caring for? We have the basics (medical information, driver's license), but I am sure there is much more out there that we should be putting together as he needs more care. I just want to make sure we are well organized.
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Yes all the meds, the special needs, the hospitalization and surgery history (and outcomes)... all of their conditions... eventually you just keep everything handy. I had it all on paper printouts, just found it easier to pull out and give to someone if they needed it. Every ER admitter asked for meds and hospitalization history.
My Dad had swallowing problems and had to have his bed at a 30 degree min angle even in the ER. I made signs for the walls and door of his room. The nurses are so busy and as shifts change, things can happen and sometimes they just don't notice. Such vigilance and attention to detail is something we all have to have. Preferences and routines are important too.
I would only add, Keep a Log -all the time... Names, dates, phone nos, etc. ( Oh I see that someone else has mentioned this.) Yes, when, where who...You will need to refer to it. I had a notebook. (Ended up a whole stack of notebooks.) Kept logs of weight, water, what food ingested, nighttime wakeups, urine amounts, etc. etc....(This was at home also.) Which nurses were in his hospital room, any events that were important, what the Drs said... Not to sue but just to be able to remind myself and tell others what was going on with him.
I also thought it was necessary due to one family member who was a little mentally disturbed and somewhat dangerous. That issue is over now that he has passed.
Many many jobs we have in this role. Bless all caregivers.
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1) Test drive that POA at a bank. They all seem to fax it to a legal department. (My mother's POA has been declined 4 times last week because the wording does not give me authority "to open" a savings account separate from our joint checking. Also checking for the wording "to close" such as in the case of a matured CD)
2) If he served in the military, have a copy of his DD-214 and his dates of service.
3) Have a copy of his ID. (Going back to the POA, the reasons varied for the rejections)
#1 All doctors' full names, POB, contact info and who may be allowed to consult with them, e.g, family member (pref) or friend.
#2 All bank information
#3 All insurance information
#4 All health diagnoses
#5 All illnesses
#6 All hospitalizations
#7 All medical equipment needed (bedside commode, cane, walker, rollator walker, magnifying machine if Macular Degeneration patient)
#8 List of all meds
#9 Two cassette cases for day and night meds
#10 All known food allergies
#11 All food and liquids that are needed for said patient
#12 Activity list
#13 HIPPA doc
#14 Prepaid funeral paperwork done and executed
#15 All known drug allergies
For yourself:
Name and address of current psychiatrist
Has a comprehensive, easy to type in info on your computer and print out and create a very useful caregiver workbook. Covers most things. I do not keep my financial info in this book, but with my child, and the rest is kept and can be updated as needed. Check it out.
"Five Wishes is America’s most popular living will because it’s written in everyday language and helps people express their wishes in areas that matter most — the personal and spiritual in addition to the medical and legal. It also helps you describe what good care means to you, whether you are seriously ill or not. It allows your caregiver to know exactly what you (the patient) want."
Abducted by aliens list.....
Excellent
The other info I would suggest that I haven't seen mentioned is the little idiosyncrasies, habits and things your loved one has and likes. What are some of their favorite treats, do they like sitting in their chair and watching the birds, do they love taking about their grandchildren, do they really dislike raisins, that sort of thing. It's probably a list you and others will add and subtract from as time goes on because these things can change but it sure is helpful especially down the road potentially when knowing these things rather than trial and error could be a big help for anyone caring for him. One thing I can think of for instance is my mom has been deaf in one ear most of her life so she has become skilled, second nature actually to behave as though she hears you and fully understands whats going on but she really doesn't. She now has loss in her good ear too and if we don't warn every new medical person and remind many about it she will go through an entire appointment saying yes to everything or taking her ques from them as they ask and answer the way they are expecting... Think about a new home health aid coming in and the little things you might "train" them on about your FIL in particular.
(Ha - Leeharper I think we were writing at the same time!)
In addition to all the medical stuff:
Deeds & realestate papers
Poa, dnr, end of life instructions, burial/funeral home info
All utilities records. You’ll need to take these over at some point
Home, car, life, medical insurance info
All banking info. If FIL is cooperative have him grant you co-signer status on checking & savings accounts.
Local services, heating cooling, plumber, electrician etc.
Put his soc # and birthdate on your phone. This has saved me many times dealing with my folks issues from afar.
All doctor and hospital info.
Put all this in a file such as a lawyers trial bag so you can throw it in the car. It’s amazing the stuff you will need at hand as you take over FILS care.
Additionally, I keep several copies of just his meds list. When we make a doctors visit or hospital visit, I just hand it over. So much easier than trying to remember what and how much of each med.
Transunion is less thorough than Equifax, but both are good b/c of cross checking.
If there are any credit cards, HELOCs or other liens for the last several years, you'll learn about them. Credit reports obviously are only for debts, so you won't know about the assets, but past tax returns are good sources for that.
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/preparing-a-letter-of-instruction-427686.htm
If you can, do an extensive search of the filing cabinets. Even the it might not be everything. I guess that generation lived then the Great Depression and just didn't trust banks.
Later, when I took over the finances, I added that data, including banks, CDs, account numbers, etc. I needed to have a grasp on what they had, and consolidate it all. I forgot to add contact numbers for the holders of any financial accounts, so I still need to do that.
Stacey, in your situation, I would add the name of the agency providing caregivers, and its contact information as well as a general list of what care they provide.
You're wise and astute to anticipate that there someday probably will be a need for this.
These are the sections I had:
1. Table of Contacts (as there are several pages to the Medical History).
2. Personal and Family Information, with home address, phone, insurance card numbers, primary and gap coverage, religion.
3. Emergency contacts: name, address, phone and e-mail, for primary and backup contacts.
4. Current Medications, with name of script med and supplements, strength, dosage frequency and purpose.
5. Allergies, Medication Side Effects and what those effects are.
6. Current Medical Conditions.
7. Prior Medical Conditions (including issues such as complicated infections, MRSA, etc.
8. Pacemaker Technical Data, including Implant Date, Implant Physician, Manufacturer, Model and Serial No.s
9. Surgeries, Hospitals and Performing Surgeons.
10. Hospitalizations with dates and conditions.
11. Treating Physicians, with specialty designation, address, phone and fax numbers.
I later added a Family History list with cardiac and cancer issues, as so many of my father's family have cancer histories.
Each of the categories is on a separate page; I printout extras of some, such as the Med List, Pacer Info and Family History so I can just give the relevant pages to ER or new medical practitioners.
Does your FIL have a “Do Not Resuscitate”? Beyond the legal Advance Directives there is a form for elders and people at risk that is filled in by hand and signed by the principal and their doctor. It is bright neon pink and should be readily available in the home for Emergency Personnel to reference.
I have been told that EMTs routinely look for them to be posted on the refrigerator.
I can’t remember what is all on the form / but if there isn’t a space - you should attach a list of prescription medications as well as any over the counter things he may be taking regularly. It would also be smart to list any allergies and if there is none, state “no known allergies” just to cover that base.
We are still unclear on his particular diagnosis, and more neurological testing is much needed. He is currently living independently - though we have an home health aid providing him assistance 20 hours per week.
He is certainly still capable with providing decisions for himself, though it seems he is declining at a stead pace and we are putting things in place so we are not "stuck" down the road.
I see your Father-in-law has Alzheimer's/Dementia and is still able to live in Independent Living. Hopefully your FIL is still able to make some decisions for himself. If he needs legal documents up-dated, make an appointment when you know there is a good time during the day when he is thinking the most clear.
HIPAA
financial POA and medical/welfare POA
at least the rudiments of his finances - even if you're happy to house and feed him at the moment, life is not free and at some point you will have to help him manage his money.
Is this a recent development? And do you expect to be his primary caregivers for the long haul or just until a different plan comes together?