Why you need a care notebook

Quality care isn’t just safe care. It’s care that’s focused on you – your preferences, values, and aspirations. It’s what we call person-centered care. To help family members and professional caregivers better understand your personal needs, preferences, and daily rhythm, a care notebook can serve as a guide to tailor care to you. It will help you and your care circle plan and track care so that you feel your best mentally and physically.

Creating a care notebook or binder helps to ensure that you – and your caregivers – know what to expect and can help establish routines. A care notebook can also be a lifesaver in an emergency, or it can help decrease stress during a crisis. This notebook or binder should be shared with new caregivers, brightly colored, and kept in a place that is easy to locate and access.

There’s no one right way to arrange your notebook. Most importantly, it should feel organized and relevant to your specific needs. Here are some useful sections to consider when creating a care notebook:

• A fact sheet with your emergency contacts

• A list of your family members, their roles, and how they can assist in an emergency

• A contact list of backup caregivers

• A list of your medical providers and preferred hospital

• If you need a translator, provide that information

• If you have pets, list who will care for the pet in an emergency

• A list of medications you currently take and include a chart with dosages, routes, and schedules

• A list of your diagnosed conditions

• A list of any medical equipment that you need (e.g., a walker, oxygen, CPAP machine, etc.) and use instructions

• A list of preferred activities you enjoy

• A list of activities you do NOT enjoy

• A list of your physical abilities so you can be an active participant in your care to maintain your independence

• Provide key changes when you are not feeling well and your symptoms if you are sick or in pain

• If you have pets, what daily care is needed

Create a daily log, especially if more than one caregiver is supporting you. This log can be very helpful for family and doctors. It might include:

• An example of an average day for you

• A mood log

• Food and fluid intake

• Daily bladder and bowel habits

• Times that medication was taken

Keeping a care notebook helps ensure you feel your best mentally and physically. By tracking the discussed elements, you can ensure your doctor and family members are armed with the information they need to tailor your care.