Years ago I kept track of thoughts, ‘to-do’ lists from parents, their hospital admissions and discharge info. It helped retain sanity in making sure I had done certain things, and the result. I carried a notebook with me. Follow-up on paper became difficult; I wondered if electronic would be a better way to go if for no other reason than to edit as needed. I read through it few years later - same old same old repeated with just names, dates and places changing. Thanks to this Forum, I realized I was an enabler with a hard learning curve! I eventually destroyed the notebook.
As I’m traveling this caregiving path again, now with hubs. I sense a need to keep track of the odd comments made, things that happen that may need to be documented for discussions with health care professionals, etc. SLUMS test was given recently. Yes there are many options available. If you kept a caregiving journal or diary, what format did you use and what worked best for you?
Under topics, not finding one that fits this issue and can only pick one so I used family caregiver.
I think writing is better, because in life we don't need to actually write that often, now with the computer age, social media, and all that.
I think if it's not something we do often, that's when we should be doing it.
Anyways, it mostly to write about my year, and my journey, my mom, vent my frustration, and my new friends here.
I also kept a running diary of assets in and assets out of his assets/accounts. MOnthly copy to him and for me. I also keep a running list of tests done, date and result. I also kept files for all bills I paid, with receipts, copies of bills, checks sent.
You got it. I am a bit OCD and I did total overkill.
I recently read my diaries, and while sad, they were sure interesting. It's 5 years next May, since D's death, and I will bury them in a dumpster when that comes. Tough times.
I'll reread what I wrote, and think , well that was stupid, and bury it in the garage.
For example , the cardiologist didn’t pay attention to what the nephrologist recommended . The cardiologist needed to be reminded that Dad had kidneys , as he seemed so bent on getting Dads heart to last . The nephrologist decreased the dose of his BP med to spare his kidneys. A more moderate approach was needed to keep the kidneys working as well as his heart .
My SIL kept hand written diaries more like AlvaDeer. She shared them with me after her DH passed from Parkinson’s dementia. I found them devastating to read but they were somehow comforting to her after his death.
Video is a great idea too but I never seem to have my phone in my hand at the right moment. Maybe later when the weird behaviors become more the rule than the exception.
September 30, 2024: Crappy
September 30, 2024: Crappy
October 1, 2024: Crappy
October 2, 2024: Crappy
Guess what my diary would say on October 3rd?
Good guess!
Sincerely,
Lost
I design forms ... keep daily records of calls (time, date)
While I do use KEEP NOTES in my android cell phone ... and folders in it, I wouldn't suggest that to track daily or regular ongoing notations of health / behavior changes ... UNLESS you have cloud and everything is transferred over for safekeeping.
For my clients, I would provide visit assessments ... of behavior changes. The family contact would take my notes to the MD / medical provider to show changes. It was a very useful tracking.
I am old (and) old fashion. I like REAL paper and pens. I then often type up and print out at home.
You can get little bitty notebooks ... 3 x 4 inches or so.
Then you can make a copy on your printer.
And, type them out to keep in a binder.
I do not like to type on my phone as I type too fast and can't do that using a text or cell phone application.
Do what works. Have a backup as needed.
And ... I learned to backup / keep a hard copy of cell phone numbers ... after losing my last phone. It is a b--tch to lose all that information.
Perhaps you have an option to plug your cell phone into your computer (on your desk-top) and transfer information ... but it seems like the cloud is the way to go (I hate the cloud). I like the old days when I used Word Perfect and could make macros instantaneously. Gena