Family Caregiver Planning Questions
1. Do you have family or friends that could assist if you were
temporarily unable to provide care because of your own sickness
or another emergency?
Having a respite care provider in place is an important part of
planning as a family caregiver. If family or friends are unable to
assist then you can locate private pay caregivers at Oregon Home
Care Commission, www.or-hcc.org or contact 503-304-3420 for a
printed list. If your loved one is receiving Medicaid in home care,
then contact their case manager for additional assistance.
2. Have you let your doctor know that you are a family caregiver?
Family caregivers are at a higher risk for mental and physical illness
including depression, exhaustion, and anxiety. It is important that
your doctor knows that you are a family caregiver to help you limit
your risk of illness.
3. Do you know about resources and support available to family
caregivers?
The Family Caregiver Support Program offers free trainings and
support groups to unpaid caregivers of family members or friends.
You can get a copy of the Caregiver Assistance Newsletter that lists
the trainings and support groups at www.nwsds.org/gettingassistance/services/family-caregiver-support/ or by calling 503304-3439. If your loved one is over age 60 or has Alzheimer’s or
dementia at any age, then you may be eligible for counseling, respite
reimbursement and supplemental services. Contact 503-304-3420, for
additional information on the Family Caregiver Support Program.
4. Does your loved one want you to be their Personal
Representative for medical care?
Your loved one’s health information is protected by Federal Law
under HIPPA, so they will need to consent to it being released. Many
family caregivers believe that they will be able to have access to their
loved one’s health information but doctors are not required to release
it unless you are designated as their Personal Representative. Contact
their doctor, dentist, and other medical clinics they use to get the
needed paperwork to be their personal representative before an
emergency happens.
5. Have you created an Emergency Plan in case of a natural
disaster or extended power outage?
Caring for a senior or person with disabilities in an emergency takes
additional planning and preparation. Two free guides that can help
you make an evacuation plan and prepare needed emergencies
supplies are:
“Just in Case, Emergency Readiness for Older Adults and Caregivers”
www.aoa.gov/AoA_Programs/HCLTC/Caregiver/docs/Just_in_Ca
se030706_links.pdf
“Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special
Needs” or can be requested from you local Red Cross or at
www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/Preparing/A4497.pdf
6. Have you and your loved one completed Durable Power of
Attorney documents?
A Durable Power of Attorney allows you to designate a person to act
on your behalf financially if you suddenly become ill or incapacitated.
An Elder Law Attorney can assist you to complete these forms. The
forms can also be purchased at a stationary supply store.
7. Do you and your loved one have advance directives completed so
that your medical wishes are known?
An advance directive is a guide for doctors and hospitals regarding
your wishes for medical care. It is extremely important to complete
this form so that your wishes can be followed. Make sure to give a
copy to your primary doctor and the people you chose to be your
health care representatives. Free Advance Directives are available at
www.oregonhospice.org/online_store_books.htm or from your local
hospital.
8. Have you talked with your loved one about future care needs
that may require care outside the home?
While is will be a difficult topic, it is important that you share
honestly with your loved one about your limits of caregiving at home.
All family caregivers have mental and physical limits to the amount of
care they can provide. Each caregiver has different limits. It is not
fair to yourself, as the caregiver, or to your loved one to promise that
they will never have to receive care outside of the home. Your health
is just as important as the health of your loved one. If your health is
being comprised by the amount of care they need then other options
need to be explored.
9. Have you and your loved one consider hospice benefits for end
of life care?
Hospice provides comfort and support services to people that are
terminally ill. Hospice focuses on comfort care instead of treatment to
cure an illness. Hospice services are provided wherever a person calls
home, including a family member’s home or assisted living care
home. The hospice team includes the family caregiver, your doctor, a
nurse, social worker, hospice aides, and volunteer respite providers.
Your doctor will need to request hospice care for you. Hospice is
included as a free service as part of many health insurances and
Medicare Part A.