These are the uncomfortable conversations we don’t want to have. BUT what other way do we find out the information? Today we’re talking about being Power of Health Care. There’s nothing more uncomfortable than being in the middle of an emergency only to find out that you are that person’s Power of Health Care. Now you aren’t prepared and don’t know their desires for care.
I had misconceptions about the duty if you will of the responsibilities and duration of being someone’s Power of Health Care. It could be one week, it could be three years of making small decisions to care for your loved one, you just never know. And there is a lot to our human experience like housework, pets, and entertainment that you need to consider.I have realized I just need to be in an ever state of preparedness. When you are caught off guard by whatever the unexpected event is, it’s nice you know past you had your back. The reality is you are not thinking clearly but with a little bit of planning you will be able to take care of yourself and your loved one.
Request Access
Nowadays your medical files and care are stored on some kind of online system through your providers. It’s important to request access to that app or account before something serious happens. I have found it useful to look at the history of the person I’m making decisions for in regards to researching for patterns of disease or illness, to see what medications have and have not been effective, and sometimes you get to see the test results before the doctor has time to come review them with you. Tip: copy and paste diagnosis/prognosis into AI and ask it to put it into “normal speak.”
Get the Medical Binder
There is an offer right now to get the mini medical binder and that is great for yourself if you need to evacuate or leave your home quickly. But the back of the medical binder is where you can start to chart what is going on with your loved one. You can chart behavior, symptoms, and treatment plan outcomes. Wrap your brain around it like a babysitting log. When did they eat, meds they took, when they went to the bathroom. It’s all relevant and the doctors can better assess your loved one then or you can suggest solutions based on that information. You don’t wanna miss the part where I talked about how to use the portable Sunday Basket® and Sunday Basket® to keep information and households organized. Have the uncomfortable conversation saying “Yes, I will be your Power of Health Care, IF you fill out the medical binder and x,y,z, so I care for you the way you want to be cared for.”
HEAR ME: whatever the hospital offers you while you are at the hospital – TAKE IT There are resources for you as the caregiver and there are resources for your loved one. You may be thinking you just want to get out of the hospital but the minute you drive away those options are no longer available for free or covered by insurance.
Hospice is not just for the last week
“I’m tired of taking care of mom.” Not a favored comment but a true one. Hospice provides care for the care giver and the patient. Hospice is not just for short term-end of life. You may think those resources aren’t for you but you need help and that’s why hospice exists! I want to encourage you to have the uncomfortable conversations so you too can be in a constant state of preparedness for whatever life throws your way!
EPISODE RESOURCES:
- 610 – Productive People’s Mindset – Living a Prepared Life
- 651 – Productive Disaster Preparation and Relief
- The Sunday Basket®
- The Paper Solution® (Medical Binder is part of this system)
- Sign Up for the Organize 365® Newsletter
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