Chapter One
Preparing for Home Care
Before you begin caring for a loved one at home, it's a good
idea to consult with the other members of the caregiving
team-such as doctors, nurses, therapists, social workers, and
family members-to identify and develop an effective strategy.
This strategy is referred to as a care plan. Each family's situation
is unique, and family members will need to work together to
develop the best plan to deal with their unique situation. The
plan should be flexible enough to meet the continually changing
needs of the person who is being cared for. You may have to
learn through trial and error what works best for you. Although
it is not always possible to predict the exact course of an illness
or how a person will recover, it is a good idea to discuss expectations
and potential problems in advance with all members of
the home healthcare team. This will help you to develop a support
network and the best care plan possible. Consider the following
when developing your care plan:
How long the illness is expected to last
How the person's condition might improve or worsen
Whether it is possible for the person to fully recover from
his or her condition or illness
Whe ... read full excerpt from American Medical Association Guide to Home Caregiving ebook
