Organizational Tools
My Caregiver Journal
Superior created the My Caregiver Journal. This guidebook is designed to help you stay organized when it comes to providing care. Please download it below:
You can use the journal at doctor visits and to keep track of important information and daily routines such as:
- Medical history
- Medication list
- Contact information for primary care physician and other providers
- Emergency contact information
- Copies of lab and radiology results
- Hospital discharge summaries
- Allergies
You may also contact your Service Coordinator/Care Manager to get your own My Caregiver Journal. You can print it and keep it in a binder or use it on your computer to help you stay organized.
Planning
Taking some time to plan can help make your caregiving easier. Creating a daily schedule for your household will form routines and allow you to leave some time to care for yourself.
It may take some time to figure out what works best for you and your children. Some people need a strict schedule to follow each week, while others prefer a simple list of items to do each day.
Here are some items you may want to include:
- Daily or weekly chores
- Meal times or plans
- Medication schedule
- Exercise
- Social activities
- Appointments
- Reminders to order supplies or refill prescriptions
- Bed time routines
When to Contact your Service Coordinator/Care Manager
A Service Coordinator/Care Manager is there to support you. They are an important part of the care team. There are many reasons you may need to be in contact with them. Some examples of when you should contact them are:
- Change in condition
- ER visit or hospital admission
- Fall or injury
- Not all agreed upon services are being provided
- New diagnosis or medication
- Assistance with finding or changing providers
- Difficulty scheduling an appointment
- Change in living environment or work arrangement
- Need for additional training
- Questions about medical transportation or durable medical equipment (DME)
When to Go to the Emergency Room
An emergency situation is when a life could be in danger. It is also when a person could be permanently hurt or disabled without care.
Examples include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe chest pain
- Severe bleeding
- Sudden changes in being able to move, speak, or feel sensations in your arm or leg
- Poisoning
- Fainting
- Sudden mental status changes
- Coughing or vomiting blood
- Sudden onset of a severe headache, especially the “worst headache of your life”
- Suicidal or homicidal thoughts
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea
- Behavioral health emergency
Severe injuries also need immediate care. Examples are:
- Burns
- Cuts
- Extreme joint pain or swelling
- Broken bones
If an emergency situation happens, go to the closest emergency room. If the person is unable to move or it is not safe to move the victim, call 911. If you are a foster caregiver, notify your child placing agency per licensing requirements.
After receiving emergency care, you should always follow up with your child’s primary doctor to update them on the situation and schedule a follow up visit as needed.
If the condition needs treatment within 24 hours but is not life threatening, visit an urgent care center or call your doctor to receive advice and schedule an appointment.
For more information, please visit the Where to go for Care, section of our website.