Caregiver’s organizational tool

Caregiver123

When my husband was diagnosed with Cancer I had issues with all the paperwork involved with being his caregiver. Through trial and error I came up with a system that helped me organize paperwork regarding test results, second opinions, insurance issues, doctor bills, Chemotherapy treatments, etc.

I purchased a binder and then indexes for the binder to label each area I would need to reference. I also purchased a binder business card sleeve for the doctor’s business cards which made it handy to retrieve phone numbers when needed. I took the binder to every doctor visit, Chemo treatment, etc.

I requested copies of all test reports performed on my husband (CT Scans, blood work, MRI’s, etc.,) to put in the binder. When my husband was hospitalized I included that information.

Also included in the binder was a matrix (excel spreadsheet) where I tracked each doctor’s appointment, date of the appointment and a comments section of the doctor’s visit, all tracked in chronological order. Additionally included in the matrix were all tests performed and the date they were done.

When we were seeing another doctor for a second opinion, not all of my husband’s medical information got sent to this doctor. I asked the doctor what he needed, he told me, and I then utilized my binder and gave him the information he needed.

There is so much Cancer in the world today. We are all human beings capable of making mistakes and oversights. I created the binder for my own sanity but most of all to be the best caregiver for my husband.

I would love to develop a binder system for caregivers and am in the process of figuring out how to make it available to caregivers.

Hope this is helpful.

Cindy54

WOW!! This is a wonderful idea! I keep a notebook myself and also a telephone log and a calender book. But your idea puts everything in one handy place.Thanks for the tip. This is extremely helpful. Best to you and your husband. Cindy

lyn33872

I kept two binders.....one with all my daughters medical records and one with all the insurance papers. My daughter was 17 and in her senior year when she was diagnosed with NHL. We tried to travel as much as we could between Chemo's and she went on several trips with her church youth group.. It gave me a peace of mind sending her off with her records in case anything happened. And once it was all over (12 months of chemo) I looked at all the insurance papers, added up the total cost and said several thank you prayers for insurance.

myfoundation

wow, this is a great idea. I am a caregiver of my 85 yearold grandmother who was diagnosed with breast cancer almost 4 years ago. with three different types of treatments over the years, we have since learned that her cancer has begun to spread into her lungs and we are now faced with a decision on how to proceed go forward. Her doctor is leaving it up to the family to decide if should start taking chemotherapy. My concerns are her quality of life. It is so hard seeing the fear in her eyes. Please share some supportive and hopeful stories. I am starting to loose faith.