Grief Support Library

Caregiving for the terminally ill

Continued

Keep lists to help you remember things. Checklists helped me tremendously. The following is an example of a medication checklist, and my comments are *in asterisks*

Example Medication Checklist

Doctor's Office Number_______________In Case of Emergency

Today's Date: ________________ *keep a calendar visible for your loved one and you*

Exact Name of Medication:1 tablet 4 times a day

-exact dosing instructions

-Time to take:8 am1 pm6 pm11 pm

- need to refill on *date*

*If you need a prescription refilled and there are none left, contact your doctor's office 24 hours in advance to ensure it is called in or so someone can pick it up.*

___Give bath

___Exercise/Physical Therapy

___Check Blood Sugars

___Wound Care

___Trach Care

___Relaxation Time

*Include in this part any special procedures or interventions you will be performing.*

Today's Menu: *Plan ahead what meals you will prepare at least a day ahead of time. Then you are ensured all necessary ingredients are available. Make a grocery/pharmacy list of items needed. Be exact when preparing this, and someone can shop for you. Accept the help offered to you in caring for your loved one. This will help both you and the person helping. You don't have to do it all yourself.*

Observations From Today to Share With Doctor: *If your loved one had a particularly bad day, note this here and include anything out of the ordinary as far as symptom presentation, appetite, sleep patterns, mood swings, etc.*

Questions for Doctor: *List any questions you want to ask the doctor regarding this.*

Many studies have shown that pain is poorly treated by some Doctors, they are afraid of the DEA. If the patient experiences pain that is not controlled by the medication currently prescribed, be sure to talk with the doctor about this or find a DR. who will prescribe adequate pain medication. There could very well be other options available that could provide relief. Talk with your doctor about possible relaxation sources. This can help reduce pain in conjunction with whatever medications have been prescribed. There are many tools available now, such as progressive relaxation techniques, yoga, along with many other techniques. Your doctor may not be able to help you with this and you may need to find others who can teach relaxation and pain reduction. Many MDs don?t know anything about pain reduction that is done without medication. It has been shown that the amount of medication can be reduced and side effects stopped by using relaxation and visualization techniques. Effective pain reduction utilizes relaxation techniques and adequate medication.

Keep any medical supplies and medications used in the care of the patient organized and readily available. If there are special dietary requirements, be sure foods on the diet are available for the patient. Your doctor can help you in determining what is and is not appropriate for the patient to eat. To make this easier on you, ask if there are any prepackaged, ready-to-eat foods that you could have on hand that would be within the specifications of the diet.

Be sensitive to the emotional and mental changes your loved one will go through. It's very hard to give up your independence and accept the fact that you are in a condition that requires your basic activities of daily living to be performed by someone else. For the patient, this is something they grieve losing, as well as grieving the loss of life itself. Do whatever you possibly can to open up communications between you and your loved one so he or she can express to you openly and honestly their feelings. It may be necessary to have no visitors at times; however, if this is not the case, plan with friends and family "visiting hours." Let them know they are welcome and encouraged to visit at those designated times. People do not want to impose upon you at this difficult time, so this will help them as well.

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