My Caregiver Journal

As part of the Caregiving Collaborations^® program, we created the My Caregiver Journal (PDF). This guidebook is designed to help you stay organized when it comes to your loved one’s care. 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
Power of Attorney
Advance directives
Allergies
Doctor visit checklist

Contact your Care Coordinator to get your own My Caregiver Journal.

You can also use a binder, files on a computer, or an online health record to stay organized, and visit the National Caregivers Library for other useful tools:

Planning

Taking some time to plan can help make your caregiving easier. Creating a daily schedule for your loved one 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 loved one. 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
Personal care
Exercise
Social activities
Appointments
Reminders to order supplies or refill prescriptions

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Specific Tools

If you are caring for someone living with dementia, you may need additional resources to help you day-to-day.

It may become hard for your loved one to get around their home. Using labels in the home can act as a guide. Color-coded labels (PDF) with pictures can help if reading becomes a challenge.