Dee
Marrella autographing a copy of Who Cares at Book Expo America,
NY City, June 2005
One
day the majority of us will find ourselves in the hands of caregivers. While we hope they will be our spouses, adult children or
other close family members, in reality it most likely that our caregivers
will be strangers. Whether we
find ourselves in a family member’s home, a retirement community,
assisted living center, nursing home, hospital, hospice, or some other
living arrangement, we all hope for the best care possible.
Recently
the media has been full of stories involving end-of-life decision-making
and confusion and controversy regarding how people are or were handled by
caregivers. Issues of life
support, living wills, organ donation, heroic measures, and funeral
arrangements, to name a few areas can be mitigated by putting your wishes,
hopes and desires down on paper. Who
Cares provides a journal or diary-like format that encourages
individuals to tell his or her own story and make their personal wishes
for their care very clear.
Spouses
should both fill out a copy of Who Cares.
The information provided will give each critical information that
even the most loving of couples may not know about one another. Sure, you know that your husband takes three medications.
But…do you know the dosage for each?
Your wife has told you she has specific feelings regarding life
support, but have she written it down so that you won’t find yourself in
combat with other family members if any misunderstanding arises?
And if
you think that your spouse might not know everything they should about
you, imagine how much less your adult children know.
Do they even know where you keep your medications or car keys?
And…if
these people don’t know all that you’d like them to…what about
strangers? Any caregiver you
will come in contact with down the road deserves to have the very best
information about you possible. Who
knows more about you than YOU?! Why
not provide all of these possible future caregivers with the best
information to work with? Why
not fill out a copy of Who Cares at your very first
opportunity?
Here
are just A FEW of the topics covered in Who Cares: A Loving Guide
for My Future Caregivers:
·
General Personal Information
– my
beliefs; what I’ve learned in life; a letter to my future caregivers
·
Priorities for Care: Medical
Information – such
as allergies, family history, my position on terminal illness, importance
of a living will, preferred healthcare providers, professionals I
“don’t” want to go back to, thoughts on nursing homes or alternative
living facilities, and personal care priorities
·
Personal Preferences – household
information, favorite foods, clothing sizes, where things are located in
my home, religious items I want near, favorite media (TV, radio,
magazines, books), games I enjoy, caring for my pets, places I like to
visit, funeral arrangements I prefer
·
Who Am I? – my
typical day, my talents and interests, military history, my innermost
feelings, likes and dislikes, fears I have, illustrations from my life,
special request for caregivers
·
Relationships – important
questions if I’m aging or ill, people I love and would enjoy seeing,
friends to notify, what I’d like to do on a day’s outing
·
Holidays and Religious
Observances – my
favorites, family traditions, affiliations, memorable times I enjoy
talking about, holiday vacation I most enjoy
·
Important Names – chart
of descendants, personal information, spouse’s information, education,
career history, my parents, my children, medical history, family memories,
my greatest accomplishment, my advice/philosophy on life that I want to
pass along, unique and memorable experiences
·
Financial and Business – my
business affairs, distribution of assets, important names and phone
numbers, where important papers are located, monthly bills and obligations
·
Life’s Lessons – regrets
I have, things learned, top 10 priorities for caregivers, general guidance
for caregivers, RED ALERT (could
save your life)
·
Words and Phrases to Keep
Handy –
important terms that all should understand
·
Note – space
to add extra information and comments
These
are just a few of the topics covered in Who Cares: A Loving Guide
for My Future Caregivers.
This
handy journal will serve as an important reference for anyone who takes
your care seriously. Here is
an opportunity to have your voice heard in the future – perhaps when
your voice otherwise might be not be strong enough to listened to.
This
could be the best gift you ever give yourself…or someone you care about!
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