Table of Contents

Who Cares: A Loving Guide for My Future Caregivers

CONTENTS

xi
— Preface —
xvii
— Foreword —
xxi
— Caveat —
xxiii
— Author’s Comments —
xxix
— Publisher’s Comment —
xli
Note to Future Caregivers —
xliii
Someting to Think About —
Part I: General Instructions
Suggestions ................................................................................2
A Letter to My Future Caregivers ............................................3
What I Have Learned in Life ..................................................15
My Personal Beliefs ................................................................18
Part II: Priorities for Care
Medical Information
Physical Problems and Medications I Take ..........................22
Allergies ....................................................................................23
Family History — Reproductive Problems............................24
Family History — Diseases ....................................................25
My Favorite Products ..............................................................26
If I Had a Terminal Illness ......................................................28
What is a Living Will?..............................................................30
My Preferred Healthcare Providers ........................................36
Doctors, Hospitals, Other Professionals That
I NEVER Want to Go Back To ................................................38
My Thoughts on Nursing Homes or Alternative
Living Facilities/My Personal Care Priorities ........................39
Part III: My Preferences
Important Household Information ........................................42
Examples of Foods I Enjoy ....................................................44
My Clothing Sizes ....................................................................51
Where to Find Things in My House /Apartment ..................52
Religious Items I Want Near ..................................................58
Favorite Media (TV, Radio, Books, Magazines) ....................59
Games I Enjoy ..........................................................................66
Do I Like Being Around Small Children / Animals? ............67
Caring for My Pets ..................................................................68
Places I Like to Visit ................................................................71
Funeral Arrangements That I Prefer ......................................73
Part IV: Who Am I?
Who Am I? My Typical Day ....................................................80
My Talents and Interests ........................................................83
Military History ........................................................................85
Innermost Feelings ..................................................................87
Likes and Dislikes ....................................................................89
Fears I Have..............................................................................91
One Specific Fear ....................................................................95
Age Specific Illustrations of My Life ......................................98
Special Requests for Caregivers ..........................................111
Part V: Relationships
Important Questions: If You are Ill or Getting Older ........116
People I Love and Would Enjoy Seeing ..............................117
Friends to Notify if I am Hospitalized ................................118
If Anyone Invited Me to Go Out for a Day’s Outing or
Evening, This is What I Would Really Enjoy Doing............119
Part VI: Holiday and Religious Observance
My Favorite Holiday ..............................................................122
Traditional Family Holidays..................................................124
Religious Affiliation / Information ......................................127
Interesting and Memorable Times I Would Love
to Talk About ..........................................................................129
Holiday Vacation I Enjoy the Most ......................................130
Part VII: Important Names
Chart of Descendants — Sample Family Tree ....................132
Your Chart of Descendants ..................................................133
Personal Information ............................................................134
Spouse’s Information ............................................................136
Education ..............................................................................137
Career — Jobs Held ..............................................................139
Parents — Mother ................................................................140
Parents — Father ..................................................................141
Children ..................................................................................142
Grandparents..........................................................................144
Medical History......................................................................148
Family Memories ..................................................................152
My Greatest Accomplishment ..............................................155
Advice/Philosophy of Life I Want to Pass On
to My Children and/or Grandchildren..................................156
Unique and Memorable Experiences I Had in Life ............157
Part VIII: FInancial and Business Affairs
My Business Affairs ..............................................................160
Distribution of Assets............................................................164
Important Names and Phone Numbers ..............................166
Where to Locate Important Papers......................................170
Monthly Bills and Obligations ............................................182
Part IX:Life’s Lessons
Regrets in My Life..................................................................185
Questions Asked of Several People: What Have
You Learned Over Your Lifetime? ........................................187
A Message to the Reader ......................................................193
A Wasted Life (Short Story) ..................................................195
Top 10 Priorities for Caregivers ............................................202
General Guidance for Caregivers..........................................205
Note to My Caregivers: Things I Learned When
I was a Caregiver ....................................................................207
Ideas and Gifts to Help the Elderly ....................................212
Conclusion..............................................................................215
RED ALERT ............................................................................217
221
Part X: Words & Phrases to Keep Handy
253
Part XI: Notes
263
About the Author