Keeping up with paperwork is never fun, but it’s important for family caregivers to stay on top of their senior loved ones’ medical information. As you create your caregiving plan, keep these four reasons in mind regarding why you need to keep your loved one’s medical records organized.
1. Guard against Medical Fraud
Medical fraud is a type of financial abuse that can occur when a person uses a senior’s personal identification information to purchase unauthorized services or products. Often, the first sign of fraud appears on a senior’s bills. Keeping your loved one’s medical records organized can help you compare dates for appointments with those that are billed so you can quickly notice fraudulent charges.
2. Ensure Continuity of Care
Having your loved one’s medical history easily accessible can help you if he or she ever needs to see a new physician. It’s also helpful for professional caregivers to review your loved one’s background before they begin to provide home care. When records are organized, you can also be certain someone can quickly step in and see what needs to be done in the event of a personal emergency.
Maintaining updated medical information is important for older adults with serious health issues. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of at-home care families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
3. Prevent Medication Mishaps
The medications your loved one takes should also be included in his or her medical records. Having a list of what your loved one takes provides an instant way to check for potential drug interactions, and you can also keep a log of when he or she takes these medications, which can prevent accidental overdoses. This level of organization can take the form of a simple journal for your loved one and caregivers to use and be filed away at the end of each day or week.
A home caregiver can help you keep track of your loved one’s health status and remind him or her to take prescribed medications. In Carmichael, senior home care providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Home Care Assistance are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
4. Decrease Caregiver Stress
As a senior ages, it can become complicated to keep up with multiple doctors, new medications, and health insurance information. For a caregiver, searching for a recent bill or trying to recall the name of a new medication can be stressful. When you organize your loved one’s records, you can save time and increase your peace of mind by knowing everything is in exactly the right place.
Caring for a senior loved one can be rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming for family caregivers who have other responsibilities they need to focus on. For these families, the perfect solution is respite care. Carmichael families rely on our caregivers whenever they need time to rest, work, run errands, and even go on vacation. Reach out to us at Home Care Assistance if you need compassionate professional care for your loved one. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (916) 485-4663.