What is a Care Plan?
A care plan is a tool that family caregivers and professional caregivers use to manage and organize your loved one’s needs and required services. It’s a tool which is effective, but only if updated and assessed regularly. After you have put an initial care plan in effect, the whole plan will need to be reviewed especially if there has been changes in your family member’s health.
Why plans change
A care plan may be changed more frequently than someone else’s family member. This is because, for example, your loved one may have COPD which will need to be assessed more often. A person who has a chronic illness with less frequent issues will be require fewer changes.
Why picking up on changes is important
To provide the highest quality care for your family member, it’s important to pick up on even the slightest of changes. The changes cover both physical and mental changes. By listening for any complaints or issues your family member talks about is important. Communication with everyone on your loved one’s care team is essential. Different team members may pick up on a symptom or change that another person hasn’t seen yet.
This is especially true if the changes are new or have become more serious. If the line of communication isn’t open with your loved one, then you’ll have to observe carefully for any changes. You will need to watch for changes in behavior and body language which may indicate that your family member is in discomfort, confused or in pain. If you have hired an in-home caregiver, listen to what they tell you about your loved one
Changes which could occur
Some changes which may occur and should be discussed with your family member’s primary physician for changes in their care plan are:
- Changes in bowel movements or increasing urination
- New skin problems which have developed, wounds or itching If there are any changes in coordination, balance and strength
- If there has been a development with indigestion or nausea
- If your loved one isn’t hungry, or hungry all the time or has increased thirst
- If your loved one has headaches, fever or body aches
- If there is drowsiness, insomnia or fatigue If there is restlessness, dizziness or if you notice they are stumbling or falling
- If you notice any changes in their mental state
Communication is the key
A care plan that is comprehensive is usually made up of family members, professionals, friends, and community resources for the plan to work smoothly. Communication with all the members of your family member’s health care team is important.
By having a log for team members to record any daily observations or activities or having check-in phone calls will make sure to keep everyone on track. This will also make it easier if there are any pattern changes in your loved one’s behavior.
It’s also important to ask your family member how they feel about their care plan and any in-home caregivers. If they aren’t connecting with a certain team member, you can make changes if they’re not happy. Work with your family member to make any changes which are realistic and reasonable.
Keeping yourself healthy
Caregiving can be all consuming and hiring outside help, such as in-home care services offered by Right at Home Smithtown, can give you a break that you deserve. Plus, home care companies will update and help to devise a client’s care plan as part of what they do.
If you can use some help with a care plan for your loved one, contact us here at Right at Home. We can help you plus give support and assistance with the responsibilities and coordinating help where needed. Call us today or contact us online.
