20 questions every caregiver should ask

20 Questions

EvEry Family CarEgivEr Should aSk

brightstarcare.comschmidt-eBook -20Qs 12-09.indd 1 12/19/09 1:54:55 PM

According to the National Family Caregivers Association, more than 50 million

Americans provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend

during any given year.

Nearly all of us will face this situation at some point. These 20 questions will help you consider key

factors as well as accurately and realistically evaluate your loved one’s condition.

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schmidt-eBook -20Qs 12-09.indd 1 12/19/09 1:55:07 PM

support1. Will you be the only one providing care for your loved one?

2. If you will have help caring for your loved one, does s/he have the names, addresses and emergency phone numbers of the other caregivers (i.e., family, friends, neighbors, home care services, etc.)?

3. Does your loved one ever leave the home (i.e., to visit a senior center, for social reasons, to attend church, etc.)? If so, when? (Use chart below to fill in a schedule of regular activities.)

4. Do other family members live nearby? Even if they are not providing care, does your loved one spend time with them?

5. Does your loved one belong to any social organizations or faith-based groups? If so, does s/he have the names, addresses and phone numbers of those friends and acquaintances?

6. Does your loved one receive any kind of assistance (i.e. financial, medical, personal, etc.)? If so, is it temporary or permanent?

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A DAy in the Life7. How does your loved one get around home? Does s/he use a cane,

wheelchair, stability bars, walker, etc.? If so, how often does s/he use assistive devices, and for what types of activities?

8. Does your loved one have a daily routine? Identify activities that are of particular difficulty (i.e., climbing up stairs, bathing, traveling to outside activities, cooking, cleaning, etc.).

9. What kinds of activities and hobbies does your loved one enjoy? What are his/her favorite shows, books, magazines, etc.?

10. Does your loved one have special dietary needs that must be taken into consideration? If so, can s/he still go to the grocery store alone? Does s/he need assistance shopping for items to meet those dietary needs?

11. Does your loved one have any pets? If so, can s/he provide adequate care for the pet(s)?

12. What, if any, medication does your loved one take? Be sure to note all medications and keep a schedule tracking when to take them and how much to take (dosage).

13. Does your loved one have any trouble taking medications? If so, how? Be sure to address any challenges s/he may have — or assistance s/he may need — in taking medications.

14. Does your loved one have insurance? Does this insurance cover all of his/her needs?

15. Does your loved one have any wills or trusts? Would you be able to locate these important documents if needed?

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everyDAy surrounDings16. Where does your loved one live (i.e., house, apartment, condo,

city or rural, etc.)?

17. Does the size of your loved one’s living quarters match his/her needs (i.e., too big, too small, adequate room to exercise, too big to keep up with daily chores, etc.)?

18. Are there any barriers (i.e., stairs, difficult doors, rough walkways, etc.) that make the living situation more difficult? If so, what can be done to alleviate these challenges?

19. Are your loved one’s living quarters secure? Does s/he have the ability to evade unwelcome visitors (i.e., scammers, solicitors, etc.)?

20. How far is your loved one from neighbors and/or other people?

Be sure to use this guide to evaluate your loved one’s condition on an ongoing basis. Caring for a loved one is an honorable but challenging task that may eventually require the assistance of medical professionals. For more tools, tips and useful links, please visit our Resource Center at {…}.

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Brought to you By BrightstArWe know how overwhelming the responsibility of caring for a family member can be.

We once needed help caring for a loved one, but didn’t know where to turn to give her the quality of care, and the quality of life, she deserved.

At BrightStar, our mission is to go above and beyond to Make More Possible — more joy, more comfort, more security, more quality, more time, more peace of mind. Helping people is more than just our mission;

it’s our passion. It’s what makes us truly shine — knowing that we’re making a real difference by bringing more to the lives of others every day.


20 questions every caregiver should ask

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