MAKING INFORMED DECISIONS

As a family caregiver, it is likely that your older relative relies on you and other family members to help plan for their 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.

ASSESSING WHAT IS NEEDED Caregivers as well as loved ones can feel anxious, worried and confused at times. 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 and determining what is needed 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

• 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.

STEPS 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. 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 "back-up" plan in case your original strategy proves to be unsatisfactory.

Family Caregiving

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

Prepared for Pima Council on Aging by the Arizona
Center on Aging, the University of Arizona^®