Once you have assessed and analyzed your caregiving situation, the next step is to develop A Plan of Action.  The first thing one should do in developing a plan of action is to get organized.  Eboni Green wrote "Without adequate planning how will we know where we are going?  More importantly, what will tell us that we have arrived at our desired destination?  You can start getting organized by pondering on some of the following: 

  

Getting Organized 

 

A) Do you know anyone who currently provides care to a loved one or works in a caring capacity that you may be able to collaborate with, talk to and/or support?(List their name and phone number below): 

 

 

B) Do you have the proper paperwork in place to make health care and/or financial decisions on behalf of your loved one?

  

Explore www.abanet.org/publiced/resources/home.html for legal definitions and other pertinent legal resources. Also check out www.agingwithdignity.org for a cost-effective durable power of attorney program for that's acceptable in most states. 

 

 

C) Do you know your loved ones SS#, Bank Account #'s, Insurance papers and where other pertinent documents are located.  Great stress reliever if you do and a possible meltdown if you don't.  (Other pertinent documents such as birth and death certificates and other public health information can be found by state by clicking here ) 

 

 

D) One day your loved one may need assistance with transportation and with the price of gas we may all need some assistance with transportation, what is your game plan?  This same question can be asked in regards to assistance with your loved ones personal care and financial matters. Even if you're loved one is not 50+ the information found at www.aarp.org may provide you with some assistance in answering these type of questions and putting together a short and long-term game plan.   

 

 

E) Who will be involved in my loved ones care process?  List family members, case/care managers, doctors, therapists, neighbors etc. and phone numbers 

 

 

Begin Reviewing Your Plan Immediately: 

  

You should immediately begin reviewing your plan by scanning it over to ensure it is a complete picture of your mission and vision.  Feel free to make adjustments as needed or just review it if it is an accurate representation.  Make sure action steps are included and your goals are well defined.  Post the plan in a place where you see it a couple of times per day.    

  

Before implementing your plan check to see: 

  

ü       Is your plan flexible?  Make sure the plan has room for adjustments in thoughts and ideas. 

  

ü       Will the plan maintain your interest?  Be the plan is worth executing and that the steps that have been laid out will keep your interest. 

  

ü       Are the goals well defined?  The key to achieving goals is to have them well defined.   When goals are not well defined, trying to meet them can keep you ina state of confusion which may lead to unnecessary stress.  

  

If you've made this far, WE SALUTE YOU!!!!!!!!!       

  

Let's move on to Step 3: Execute Plan.