05 Nov 10 helpful tips to look after your family during illness or injury
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Take control; for your sake and theirs
When a loved one is sick or injured, it is stressful; emotionally, physically and logistically.
Whether your loved one is having ongoing medical treatment, has been in an accident or is suffering from a health-related illness, the stress of the primary caregiver can be debilitating.
As a carer, you may be tasked with providing emotional and physical support around the clock to your unwell relative and those family members around you. It’s also likely that you’ll have copious amounts of information and documentation to manage, from prescriptions to test results, medical appointments to insurance claims and potentially the logistics of travel and accommodation requirements.
To help keep your emotional cup full – so you can continue to be what your family need you to be – this summary helps guide you to be more organised and less stressed during this difficult time.
10 tips to have everything you need at your fingertips
1. Get Started – You won’t regret it
Create a secure file that is accessible at home and on the move. Create an Emergency Vault that contains the basic but critical information you need to have on hand at all times, including Emergency Contacts, a copy of your health insurance details, details of known medical conditions, allergies, medications and immunisation details.
2. Record detail of the injury or illness
The chances are that you will be asked to provide detail of the injury or illness multiple times. Be prepared by recording the type and name of Illness or Injury, the effect on your loved ones health and wellbeing, the treatment, location, and medication received to date
3. Remember your appointments
Keep a record of appointment dates, heath provider name, location, results and further instructions. Update the information in the waiting room, each night or when your loved one is resting.
4. Upload prescription or medications
Record the name and type of medications, who it was prescribed by, the date of issue and expiry of prescription, number of repeats, dose and frequency. Upload a copy of your prescription or take a photo of the medication and upload it to your file so you’ll always remember its name.
5. Procedure/Operation Record
Keep a record of procedure names and types, the date performed, the Doctor or Specialist performing the procedure and the results or further care instructions. Upload a copy of your admission documentation.
6. Test Results
Record the type of test, who the test was taken by, location and test results. Upload a copy of your test results for future reference.
7. Family Medical History
If the injury or illness has any implications for your family, list the type or person/s affected and the family’s lineage or side. Share this information with family members that may be affected.
8. Health Insurance
Record your national health care number and any private health insurance provider details, including name, policy type, cover, policy number, policy expiry, renewal date and persons covered. Keep a copy of your membership card and contact details on hand. Upload a copy of your health insurance card in case you forget your wallet or handbag.
9. Consider legal, financial and other administration
Consider if you need to upload any related or relevant information or documentation to support your financial position, the belongings of your loved one, any legal proceedings and ensure you have all the passwords you need.
10. Share this vital information and share the load
Being a carer is never easy, but you can share the load by sharing this information with another relative or friend who can be your backup person.
Peace of mind that you have everything you need when you need it.
My Life Capsule lets you spend more precious time holding the hand of your loved one rather than trying to remember their blood type, the last test results, following up on paperwork or trying to remember where you left your medical card.
With a My Life Capsule account, you can use the Health & Wellness Summary Guide and the Injury or Illness Checklist to quickly organise, protect, access and share your important and precious files. You can also revoke shared access anytime, giving you complete control.
Make your life easier and more secure now and into the future.
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