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November Health Article 2024
Steps for Creating and Maintaining a Care Plan
As our lives and those around us change, some people will need caregivers and others will become caregivers. The role of the caregiver can be overwhelming at times lead to caregiver burnout. The Center for Disease Control has information for those who are caregivers to help make being a caregiver less stressful by providing information for those who care for others. Developing a care plan for those you care for can help with the process. A care plan is a form where you can summarize a person's health conditions, specific care needs, and current treatments.
Key points
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A care plan can help caregivers better manage their caregiving responsibilities, alongside their own personal lives.
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Care plans include critical information about the person receiving care, such as their health condition(s), treatment(s), care needs, and provider contacts.
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This helps caregivers organize and prioritize caregiving needs.
Care plans can help:
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Keep important caregiving information in one place.
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To organize and prioritize caregiving activities.
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Give a sense of control and confidence when managing caregiving tasks.
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Assure that the care recipient's needs are being met.
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To ensure consistent care when transitioning caregivers.
Care plans can be especially helpful if you care for more than one person.
Caring for others
Millions of U.S. adults are caring for someone aged 50 or older.
Getting started
What to include in the care plan
The plan should include important information about the person receiving care, including their:
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Name, date of birth, and contact information.
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Health condition(s).
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Medicines, dosages, and when/how they are given.
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Health care providers with contact information.
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Health insurance information.
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Emergency contacts.
Tips
Developing a care plan
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Begin a care planning conversation with the person you care for.
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Start with a simple template and change it as needed.
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If the person receiving care is unable to provide all the information needed:
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Talk to others who regularly interact with them, like a family member.
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Invite them to join the discussions.
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Help complete the form.
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Ask about suitable care options for the person you care for.
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Medicare covers appointments to manage chronic conditions and discuss advanced care plans.
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These appointments include planning appointments for people with dementia, memory problems, or suspected cognitive impairment.
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Try to update the care plan every year, or more often if the person you care for has a change in health or medicines.
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Remember to respect the care recipient's privacy after discussing their health conditions.
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Benefits of a care plan
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Care plans can reduce emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
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They can also improve overall medical management for those with a chronic condition, like Alzheimer's disease.
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A care plan summarizes a person’s health conditions and current treatments for their care.
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The information contained in the care plan includes items such as the person's medications, health care providers, insurance and other information and makes these resources easily accessible for you.
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Care plans can help maintain quality of life and independence for the care recipient.
Caregiver health
Caregivers can experience emotional, psychological, and physical strain.
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Caregivers of people with dementia or Alzheimer's are at greater risk for anxiety, depression, and lower quality of life than caregivers of people with other chronic conditions.
Find healthy habits you can adopt as a caregiver to continue caring for yourself. Make sure to discuss any concerns you have with your health care provider.