INFORMED CARE PLANNING

helping older relatives or friends plan and make informed decisions about their future care

As a family caregiver you willingly offer your loved one comfort, support and assistance to maximize their well-being. It is likely that your older relative relies on you and other family members to help solve real-life everyday problems as well as plan for the future. In this role, it is important to identify problems that may exist, assess what may be needed and gather the most relevant information so that together you and your relative can make the best possible decisions about their current and future care.

I feel overwhelmed and at a loss. I think my loved one needs care beyond what I am providing as a family caregiver. How do I begin? What are my options?

Caregivers as well as loved ones can feel anxious, worried and confused at times. Throughout your caregiving journey you will want to adjust to your changing needs as well as those of your loved one. Although you recognize that you must take action and do "something", it may be difficult to actually do it. These "blocks" may prevent you from following through on what needs to be done in a specific situation. Some suggestions for overcoming these feelings are:

• Try not to make important decisions while you are upset. Sometimes you must make a decision immediately but often you don't have to. If the situation requires an immediate decision it becomes important to have vital information about your loved one prepared in advance, such as: date of birth, social security number, Medicare number, health insurance policy numbers, health conditions and allergies, current medications, names and telephone numbers of treating physicians and copies of advance directives, if any. Searching for information when you and your loved one are in a crisis situation will make a difficult situation more stressful.
  • Take time to sort things out. Try to make sense of the situation, by asking yourself: "What is really happening here?” It may be helpful to make a list. Divide a piece of paper into three columns; in the first column identify the problems as well as your own limitations. In the second column, list your relative’s needs and your needs as a caregiver. Then identify where to seek information and advice in the third column. Also, asking yourself the following questions may be of help:
    • What are my relative's wishes and preferences for their future care?
    • Will my relative be willing to accept assistance from others (friends, family members and/or professionals)?
    • Who among family members and friends will be able and willing to help? What type of contributions can they make to the care of the loved one?
    • Who among family members and friends is my relative most likely to trust?
    • Is professional help needed? How do I match the help needed with my family care situation?
    How much money is available to put toward the care needed?

• Talk over important problems with persons you trust. If you and your relative feel unable to pinpoint what you really need then ask a friend, another family member and/or seek professional advice. You may know only that you feel stressed and unable to handle the situation. If that is the case, call Pima Council on Aging (Ph: 790-7262) and ask for the Caregiver Specialist and/or the Caregiver Education and Support Program (Ph: 546-4481 or 546-4482). Staff will help you identify the problem and understand the care options that are available for you and your relative.

I lack the knowledge and confidence I need to help my relative make informed choices about their care. I want to make sure I understand what is involved in the care planning process. Promoting good care planning means helping your loved one make better choices, solve problems and improve their understanding of alternative care options. People make decisions based on a range of factors, such as: cultural values and traditions, family relationships, friend’s suggestions, emotions, attitudes, personal characteristics, past experiences and perceptions. Steps involved in the care planning process are:

• Become aware of and identify a problem: What it is and why it is happening?
• Search and gather information from various sources to help when considering support services and programs. For example: public libraries have numerous guides and pamphlets available for helping caregivers select services and programs, computer Internet Websites (computers for public use are available at all local libraries), and local agencies (i.e., Pima Council on Aging and the Caregiver Education and Support Program) are very helpful. Also, talking with other people who have had similar experiences will help you determine what questions to ask, identify resources and other possibilities. Remember all questions are important and you have a right to information about all service providers.
• Evaluate care alternatives. Discuss possible alternatives with your loved one and other family members. Once you have narrowed the choices compare them with what matters most to your loved one (i.e., independence, comfort, costs, location).
• Choose a course of action and develop a strategy. You should consider developing a "backup" plan in case your original strategy proves to be unsatisfactory.
• Evaluate the results and determine if a satisfactory solution was obtained. Did it meet your goals and expectations? If not, ask yourself: Can you and your relative live with the results or do you need to make changes to better accommodate your relatives needs and wishes?

The care planning process may help you and your loved one make informed decisions about their current and future care as well as guide your selection and use of support services and programs. Keep in mind, that by accepting paid services, you are not replacing but only supporting and strengthening the informal help currently provided by family and friends.

• Pima Council on Aging 8467 E. Broadway Blvd. Tucson, Arizona 85710-4009 Phone: (520) 790-7262

www.pcoa.org

• Caregiver Education and Support Program 2250 N. Craycroft, Suite 250 Tucson, Arizona 85712 Phone: (520) 546-4481 or 546-4482

caregivers@pimahealthsystem.org

• Caregiver Consortium www.arizonacaregivers.org
• National Association for Home Care Phone: (202) 547-7424 or www.nahc.org

Informed Care Planning

Informed Care Planning