What Is Included in a Care Plan for the Elderly?

If you’ve been tasked with the care of an aging loved one, you may be wondering where to begin. The Mission at Agua Fria Senior Living can help. Drafting care plans for our community residents is one of our specialties. Here’s what should be included in a care plan for the elderly.

Summary of Health Conditions

The first thing a care plan for the elderly should include is a summary of existing health conditions. If the person you’re caring for ever has a medical emergency, a healthcare professional will need to know what ailments the person has in order to determine the best course of action.

Likewise, a care plan should include a list of medications the care recipient has been prescribed. Certain treatments and medications can interfere with one another and cause an adverse reaction, so it’s important the care plan includes an up-to-date list of all medications.

Having a list of medications included in the care plan will also help you or anyone else caring for your loved one remember the correct dosage, time of day each medication should be administered, and any specific instructions that go along with it (such as whether to take it with or without food). If you want to get started on drafting a care plan but are unsure how to create one, the CDC has a form that can help.

List of Emergency Contacts and Healthcare Providers

Once again, you should be prepared in the event the care recipient ever has a medical emergency. That means including a list of emergency contacts so that you and other contacts listed in the care plan will be alerted in the event of an emergency situation.

The care plan should also include a list of the care recipient’s healthcare providers. In the event of a medical emergency, a doctor or nurse may need to contact a healthcare provider to request details about a person’s medical history. Having a list of current healthcare providers outlined in the care plan will make it easier to retrieve this information more quickly.

In fact, you can even ask your loved one’s main healthcare provider to assist you in completing the care plan. A doctor or other healthcare professional familiar with the care recipient may be able to suggest specific information that should be included in the care plan. You can also go over future plans, such as advanced care and end-of-life options.

Caregiver Resources

Being a primary caregiver can sometimes feel overwhelming. If you’re planning to do the job yourself, you should include a list of resources that will be helpful when things become difficult.

For instance, a Meals on Wheels program may be able to help prepare and deliver meals on certain days, so you won’t have to worry about meal planning. Other community organizations may be able to assist with transportation to the care recipient’s doctor appointments. You can also look for online community forums and caregiver groups that understand what you’re going through and may be able to provide some emotional support.

It’s also important for the care recipient to feel supported. As you work to develop the care plan, be sure to actively include the care recipient if they have the mental faculty to take part in the care planning process. It’s important to allow them the opportunity to inform you of their wishes.

As you discuss advanced care plan options, you may find that assisted living would be most beneficial for your loved one. If so, contact the team at the Mission at Agua Fria. We provide assisted living and memory care in a beautiful and loving community setting.