When you’re a primary caregiver, respite care professionals can provide the specialized assistance your loved one needs, while allowing you to take time for yourself. However, since introducing a new person into the care routine can be overwhelming for everyone involved, it helps to have a plan already outlined. With a solid respite care plan in place, you’ll know that the caregiver has all the resources they need to provide focused, personable, and reliable assistance. As you develop your guidelines, here are a few of the most important elements you may want to include.

What to Include in a Respite Care Plan

1. Personal Details

To make the introduction go smoothly, it helps to provide the caregiver with as much information you can about the person they will be spending time with. Apart from their name and age, list interests your loved one has—such as favorite hobbies, topics, foods, music, television shows, and books.

2. Medical Information

Detail every minor and major medical issue that your loved one may need assistance with during the companion’s visit. This part of the plan should explicitly detail all medications, where they can be found, how often they should be taken, and how much should be given. It also helps to include a medical record or summary that can quickly give a background on your loved one’s general health.

3. Daily Routine

While every day may be different, it’s a good idea to create a rough outline of your loved one’s general routine. This schedule may include when they get up, get ready for the day, eat, exercise, shower, and engage in other daily activities. When discussing these items, be sure to highlight any activities that may require handicap assistance and how the respite care provider should help.

4. Emergency Contact

The plan should also include a sheet of people who the caregiver should call in the event of an emergency. Clearly list the name of your loved one’s primary doctor, preferred hospital, and any other specialist that may need to be notified. Also, provide names and numbers of family members and friends who should be contacted if you cannot be reached.

While it’s always a good idea to have an up-to-date respite care plan available whenever you need it, it’s also critical to know who to call for help. If you live in the Onalaska, WI, area, you can turn to the Coulee Region Adult Day Center for flexible and convenient assistance. Whether you prefer in-home care or a fully-equipped adult care facility, this team of trained specialists will quickly adjust to meet your loved one’s needs in a reliable and compassionate manner. To learn more about these resources and how you can arrange respite care, visit this provider online or call a friendly associate at (608) 519-2306.