Good Senior Care checklists can help with recovery.
A good health related checklist can provide information, encouragement and reminders to seniors with medical issues. Have you ever felt overwhelmed by health care information? Oftentimes, a medical visit is filled with new information, feelings of overwhelm, and an increase in anxiety. We can miss information, misunderstand instructions, or confuse what was said with something we thought we already knew. Not following through correctly can lead to negative outcomes: longer recovery, medication issues, injury, or even re hospitalization and death. People struggling with medical instruction adherence is not uncommon (PubMed, 2002) A positive recovery depends largely upon a client following through with the health care team’s recommended instructions. Clear health checklists and logs can provide needed information for recall and followthrough! I always recommend keeping a brightly colored notebook on the counter (especially after a medical issue), where a senior can store all pertinent health information. Checklists can provide positive reinforcement of getting things done, as well as reminders for repeatable or additional needs to be accomplished. How many times have you forgotten to buy a food item that was not on your grocery list?! lol
If you are recovering from health related care and do not get written instructions, ask for them!
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Clear Senior Care checklists can help improve exercise and activity followthrough.
An exercise program for seniors should be multifaceted: stretching, breathing, cardio, resistance training, balance, and bone impact should all be included. Likewise a variety of cognitive activity should be part of a wholistic health routine. According to Bollen, et al, 2014, for best followthrough each senior exercise handout should not have too many exercises (less than 4). Instructions and checklists may help with recall and proper performance to reduce risk of injury. Instructions should go beyond number of reps or time performed, and include form, posture and alignment, breathing, etc. For most health related activities, consistent repetition over time is what typically yields the greatest benefits. A good checklist written for senior care can help improve understanding and follow through, leading to long term performance, which yields increased strength and overall health.
Using checklists for clinicians may help with achieving outcomes and justifying reimbursement.
Not following medical instructions, whether intentional or not, can cause worsening of symptoms, delay in progress, or even new medical issues. Extra visits to the physician, being re hospitalized, extending a rehabilitation, or additional surgeries after a fall are all costly events I have seen occur due to a client or family member not following through with the (sometimes unclear) instructions they were given.
When this happens, it places increased financial burden on the medical system. Unfortunately, it then places burdens of time, stress, and finances to the patients and families as well. A well written checklist can help reduce these issues. A good checklist can provide clear information, reminders, allow for quick follow up, or demonstrate progress. It can also highlight continued need in areas that were not yet able to be addressed. Health care is busy, and family dynamics can be challenging. Quick access to health information can help the clinician reassess and pinpoint areas that require further training or intervention. Using checklists to increase available information and followthrough regarding: medication, exercise, activity modification, self care, pacing, and proper use of equipment, are all actions which can contribute to a less costly and smoother recovery, which is better for everyone involved:).
Clearly written health logs can help increase and promote impactful caregiving of seniors.
Many seniors are cared for by family or paid caregivers. There are a variety of health instructions and activities that should be performed for well rounded senior care. Caregivers and family can become overwhelmed with too much verbal instruction. A checklist can help provide recall and followthrough to track and guide care. Caregiver checklists could include exercises, vitals, cognitive activity, emotional health care, medications, hydration, nutrition and home safety. Those checklists used can provide information to the health care team for appropriate health testing and progress. These lists could also demonstrate needs, provide ideas for gifts, or even spark caregiving ideas for other family members to contribute!
If you are receiving caregiving and do not get written instructions, ask for them!
More than checklists…feeling heard and respected improves patient adherence and recovery.
Trust is actually a factor in patient adherence! We should endeavor to understand the context and goals of the person we are working with to ensure our instructions are appropriate. Treating a person with kindness, compassion, and empathy, is not only important, but doing so will often improve their response (Martin, Williams, 2005. As a clinician my goal has been to help my patient or client feel cared for and empowered. Likewise, I try to present them with as many choices in the process as is appropriate, and enable them to guide their own care. Always allow time for review and questions, as it can help identify misunderstandings that could potentially become problematic!
Checklists should be specifically geared toward senior care for best results!
Empowering seniors with tools for good followthrough is beneficial for them, for caregivers, and for the health care team! Details that caregivers communicate need to be clear and concise. As well, a person’s ability to listen or read, understand, and recall should be considered when choosing checklists or handouts. Words, pictures, charts, or lists can be used to communicate effectively. It is imperative to provide understandable and readable verbal and written instructions for seniors and families to use! For instance, proper font and type size can influence understanding. Old copies and multiple forms can be confusing and lead to mistakes. Colors and typestyle can even have an impact on understanding.
Using senior focused, organized health care checklists and handouts can help to improve followthrough and progress, leading to long term health improvements. The primary reason I developed the Creative Home Therapy checklists (and Etsy shop) was to share what I had developed for my patients and family. Many of the handouts I created were made for clients I worked with that were struggling to follow instructions. My hope was that other “worn-out-but-wanting-to-make-a-difference” clinicians and family members could benefit from them! I have determined to keep the cost low, because my main concern is to help caregivers and seniors. 🙂 Any support of this blog allows me to continue to provide resources to help seniors age well.
Check out CHT senior focused health handout packets on the blog, or on Etsy!
Likewise, you may want to check out the Organized Clinician Ebook, or the Organized Caregiver Ebook loaded with tips and 30+ printable handouts that you can use to keep yourself or your senior client health-organized!
The most important printable handout (IMO)…. a medication list!
Print out and copy this freebie as needed 🙂
Other posts you may find helpful:
10 Tips to be an Organized Caregiver
Caring Caregiver Communication
What other information or tips would you give for senior care checklists? If you are ready to begin your journey of health organization, subscribe to the blog for weekly tips, information (more freebies) and insight into senior health, and receive a packet of printable FREEBIES!
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