This is the 12th installment in the Critical Dementia Skills (CDS) series. For more information on the series, start HERE. You can also click on the CDS tags in the blog for more.
If you think life is complicated, care partners know how much more complicated that things can get when a loved one has dementia. Care partnering can become a full-time job.
Here is a sample of the things that could make the care partner journey easier if more organized:
- Medical – managing health, bills, medications, diet, exercise, therapy providers
- Medical – advanced care planning (health care proxy, living will) (CDS #9)
- Care Partner Self-care -Medical, Social, Spiritual, etc (CDS #10)
- Faith Life – Mass, Sacraments, ministry (CDS #6)
- Home – Bills, housework, meals (shopping, prep)
- Legal – last will, power of attorney
- Financial – savings, assets, retirement savings, taxes, insurance
- Vehicle(s) – Maintenance, replacement, sell-off
- For some: Care Community (memory care, etc) – admission, expenses, advocating
- For some: Job Outside the home
- For some: Raising Children or Grandchildren while a care partner
This list is not to exhaust anyone or make them dwell on the many things waiting for them after finishing this blog article.
We wrote this list – and please tell us what else we can add in the comments section – because sometimes seeing the tasks:
- Can allow you to start chipping away
- Can help you find a system (and asking others how) to prioritize tasks, track progress, and plan to follow up
- Can explain all that is on your plate to family members who may not understand what you do
- Can make it easier to delegate a task or let someone choose a task to help with
Future subtopics for CDS #12 will explore tasks in more detail
Questions for you to think, write down, and share in the comments section (any or all):
- What tasks are we missing?
- What system do you recommend for organizing?
Thank you for reading this far and for commenting. Let’s tell hundreds more care partners about this concept by sharing the article. God bless you.
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Support this ministry and get help at the same time. Visit MyCatholicDoctor.com to schedule a consultation with Matthew, join a Living with Dementia Support Group, or join a Dementia Caregiver Support Group.
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