A step-by-step guide to avoiding overwhelment…

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caregiving anxiety

One of the biggest jobs in caregiving leads to one of the most depressing moments in our life …loneliness and overwhelment (new word!).

We feel we have to do it all.

We feel no one understands us.

We feel that if only people knew…

Our siblings won’t help us and they don’t get it.

Caregiving is a full-blown operation.  Medicine, law, insurance, business pale compared to the team a caregiver must get in place.

The good news is…you only have to do this once…

We have got to put some things in place so if we need them, we will know where to go, what to do and most importantly, what to ask.

So here’s your list…

 PROFESSIONALS/FRIENDS ON YOUR TEAMNUMBER NEEDED
1 Primary care physician who totally supports you for taking care of your mom or dad. 1
2 Urgent care with weekend hours and will they accept mom or dad’s insurance1
3 Telemedicine company who accept mom or dad’s insurance, preferably one that’s open 24/71
4 House Calls – MD or NP who comes out to the house1
5 Closest emergency room (telephone and address in phone)1
6 Local pharmacies because one may be out of stock or closed2
7 Friends who will listen to you when do you need to vent3-4
8 Patient advocate who you can call when mom or dad are in the hospital and nobody’s listening to you1
9 Attorney – preferably the same one your mom and dad use who can help you because they know you1
10  Insurance broker who can make sure your folks have the best insurance at the right cost and going to the right pharmacies2
11 Financial advisor – Preferably the same one your mom and dad use so they know your family situation.1
12 Non- medical home health agency when you need to get away2-4
13 Nursing agencies your insurance will cover2-3
14 Physical Therapy companies who come to the home2
15 Support groups and organizations to call 3-4
16 Family counselor for you and maybe even for your loved one1
 TOTAL25-30

Why do I need so many people?…

Well, here’s what you should never expect in your caregiving journey….

  1.  Your spouse will understand
  2.  Your siblings will come to your rescue
  3.  Your children will understand when you miss the grandkids or holidays
  4. Your presence at family reunions, weddings, funerals, graduations, and vacations will continue
  5. That Mom and Dad will get better
  6. That your siblings will help you clean out the house after your loved one has passed…so that leaves you…

You are charting unknown waters here but not unknown to the rest of us….

Every caregiver has a different set of experiences, however, all of us have one thing in common… we wish we knew what we know now.

Start lining up your team. They are a HUGE support and will back you when the time is needed because they know you, built friendships with you, and trust you.

There are people waiting to help bring you out from under the depth of despair you feel…they are there for you, not your loved one…

You are never alone. No one said you had to be

About the Author

Do you feel frustrated with your medical care? Do doctors spend 5 minutes with you, push you out of the office, with you wondering what's going to happen? Does your insurance deny paying? You're not alone. I'm frustrated, too. This is a growing trend in healthcare. Having seen pre-insurance medicine (yes, my dad was an old country doctor), I grew up watching him spend time with his patients, giving them the best care he had to offer. I saw families trust him to help them through hospitalizations and the next crisis. As a patient advocate, my job is to see that you get the right diagnosis, the right treatment plans, and the right supplies and education to make good decisions about your health. More importantly, I will teach you the tricks of the healthcare trade. We need more healthcare consumer protection, especially for chronic illnesses like diabetes. This is what I am passionate about. I make it happen every day with thousands of patients who now know what I know about beating the healthcare system and getting the best patient care...Patient Best.

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This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your healthcare provider or seek other professional medical treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that has been read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately. The opinions and views expressed on this blog and website have no relation to those of any academic, hospital, health practice or other institution. Nor does this material constitute a provider-patient relationship between the reader and the author. 

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