August 1998 Trust Talk
Creating An Older Reletive's "Health Snapshot"
The following was adapted from an article with the same title in the February 1998 Work &
Family Life newsletter and written by Kerri Smith, author of Caring for your Aging Parents: A Sourcebook of Timesaving Techniques and Tips.
We're passing it on to you because we believe it may be helpful to many members who have care
responsibilities or concerns for older relatives (or really, any adult for whom you or a family member provides care). After reading this article,
you may want to contact Working Solutions Service at 800-358-8515 for more information, or redeem the coupon on p. 3 of the Working Solutions
booklet in this year's Trust open enrollment kit.
If you are a caregiver or anticipate caregiving responsibilities in the future, you need to know
what's going on with your older relative – physically, mentally and emotionally. This will require input from your relative, his/her doctor(s) and possibly
other relatives as well. Taking a "health snapshot" is one way to do it.
|
Input From Doctors
You'll need input from your relative's doctors to complete the "health snapshot."
If you are unable to meet with the doctor, you might try to arrange a telephone consultation. Explain your role as a caregiver (and
be aware that many doctors will ask the patient's permission first to speak with you). Here are some questions you may want to ask,
depending on the nature of your older relative's medical situation:
- Are there side effects of medications?
- Do any medications interact badly with one another? (remember the over-the-counter
drugs too)
- Could my relative switch to a generic equivalent?
- Do you (the doctor) anticipate a need for a home health care assistant or
companion in the future? (given all involved family members' work schedules)
- How long will the patient need therapy? Can you recommend a therapist who
makes house calls?
- What exercise level is appropriate for my relative's health?
- What are my relative's physical limitations?
- Would an assistive device be helpful to my relative? An adjustable bed?
Shower chair? Can you write a prescription for any of this equipment for insurance purposes?
|
Start with a large, three-ring notebook with plenty of paper. Add several ringed sleeves for
loose documents. Divide the notebook into tabbed sections, for example, Health Information, Health Providers, Housing, Financial, Legal, To-do
Lists, Calendar and Phone Numbers. Record notes and any data from phone conversations in it.
The information you gather is useful for the present, and will become even more important
in case of an illness or accident. It will help you to have medical records in one place in order to track caregiving tasks and keep yourself organized.
Gathering the necessary information
Find a quiet place where you and your older relative can talk, and you can write without
being disturbed. Be calm as you explain the purpose of this discussion. Start with some basic questions: What is the elder doing daily? Is he/she
getting regular exercise? Eating properly? Having trouble walking or doing light household work?
Brush up on family history. Find out who had heart problems, cancer, strokes, diabetes
and other health concerns. Ask the elder what doctors are telling him/her about his/her current health status. Is your elder relative taking medications
as prescribed? Does your relative have confidence in his/her doctors, or say things like, "that doctor doesn't know what he's talking about."
Steer the conversation toward your relative's emotional well-being. Has he/she given up any regular
social activities? Quit going to church? Has a pet died recently? How is the elder sleeping?
Line up your elder's medicines on the kitchen table, including over-the-counter remedies
such as laxatives and aspirin. Record each medication along with the prescribed dosage, instructions, doctor's name, and the name, address and phone number
of the drugstore where each prescription is filled.
Review insurance policies, medical bills and explanations of benefits. What coverage
does your relative have? What about nursing home or long-term care insurance? Record his or her social security number, Medicare/Medicaid ID, and insurance
plan names, group/policy numbers and phone numbers.
Evaluate any adaptive devices your parent may be using. Is your parent's hearing aid working
properly? How long since it was reviewed by a doctor or audiologist? What about glasses? When was the last time your relative was checked by an
ophthalmologist? Are walkers, braces or chairs still fitting the elder properly? Write down names, addresses and phone numbers of medical equipment
stores and providers' names.
If you don't like what you learn
After putting together this "health snapshot," if you feel that a particular doctor is not showing
the proper concern, you may want to offer assistance to the relative to find another physician (be prepared to meet with resistance). Or, you
may review the information and have a greater peace of mind that your relative is receiving appropriate care. If you're not sure (and most of
us aren't medical experts), consider calling Working Solutions for a referral to a geriatric specialist or clinic that offers geriatric health assessments.
By taking a health snapshot, you'll be able to measure your elder's daily comfort level and
reduce your own stress. You'll have valuable information about your relative's health status and lifestyle, and both of you will have a better idea of
what to expect in the future.
| 
