The Daily Schedule tab of the Communications Notebook is an excellent way to ensure the elder in your care continues to lead a full life that she enjoys. It helps caregivers understand what activities are important and ensures that they have a full range of ideas for what to do each day. You can keep a close eye on how your elder is doing each day too.
When I was managing the caregivers for my grandmother I found that they would often be at a loss for what to do each day even after we had discussions on this topic. They just don’t have the years of experience with their charge to help her remember activities she once enjoyed. I found the best remedy for this was to create a daily schedule for each week.
With the daily schedule, I map out each hour of each day in the week. For example, I scheduled “wheelchair outing” daily for 11 AM. This way I knew she would get out three to four times a week. It may not have happened right at 11 AM, but the caregivers knew this was important. I also scheduled activities such as cribbage, looking at albums, nap or TV time, taking a drive or cutting flowers. My grandmother was able to pursue activities she enjoyed and it also gave the caregivers ideas for things to do each day.
Include a caregiver log to include in this tab as well. This should have a Caregiver Guide Introduction with what must be covered during each visit and a suggested routine. You should have a Journal Entry Guide that notes the clarity/lucidity of the elder, conversation topics, receptiveness to help, what was done to help with personal care as well as meals or snacks. The journal entries will help you remain in tune with how things are going when you aren’t there.
