Care for the elderly can be quite stressful and at times completely overwhelming. A caregiver or potential caregiver can avoid a considerable amount of elder care stress by taking a proactive approach in organizing and planning for the unplanned events in life. It is very important to get all paperwork and legal papers in order while the aging person in your life is still well, if at all possible.
An article published in Forbes online magazine outlines a court case involving the care of parents in ill health and the court’s view of a son’s commitment and dedication. Anthony Olivo is a tax lawyer who practically abandond his law practice to give round-the-clock care to his parents for over nine years. The court considered whether mom’s estate could deduct expenses for the son’s services before the mom died. Mr. Olivo had filed the estate tax return, handled the IRS audit and filed the estate’s Tax Court petition, however, he had not kept time records, did not prepare invoices and never established the value for his services. Even though the court noted that the son rendered extraordinary care to his parents and his efforts were commendable, it eventually ruled that the mother’s estate did not have any documented evidence concerning the son’s entitlement to any reimbursement for administrator’s commission, accountant’s and attorney’s fees that Mr. Olivo claimed. There was no contract and no evidence concerning the worth of Mr. Olivo’s services. The lack of proper recordkeeping resulted in an unfavorable ruling by the Tax Court.
Good recordkeeping is a vital part of being a responsible caregiver. Records that should be kept include:
- Notebook or Diary – It is important to have things written down and be easily accessible. The caregiver should have a pen and notebook with them at all times. Stress can cause distractions and important things can be forgotten.
- Important Documents – Documents will include medical, legal and financial information. Records regarding religious and social information should be compiled. A system should be in place to have all important names, addresses and phone numbers in one spot.
- Medical Records – Good record keeping can prevent delay when medical treatment is necessary. It can also prevent duplication of invasive or painful medical tests. Keep records to include the name, phone number, address and specialty of each health care provider who cares for your loved one. Good medication records can help prevent dangerous errors if the person receiving care is unable to speak. Medical history, to include past surgeries, hospitalizations, and emergency contact information should also be readily available.
- “To Do” List – Make a list of appointments, your own schedule and possibly your family’s schedule. Care giving can sometimes be overwhelming and cause an incredible amount of stress.
- Filing System – Paperwork can soon pile up, so files need to be maintained for important things like medical bills, legal papers, financial papers, etc. If everything gets too overwhelming, delegate this task to another family member or an outside service.
- Call Log – Record the name, date, time and a short description of all conversations concerning the care of your loved one.
- Back-up Plan – An emergency or sudden illness of the primary caregiver will require someone else to step in. There will always be unplanned events, so try and prepare for them.
Santa Barbara Estate Services specializes in implementing good record keeping for seniors and helping with almost all aspects senior care. Our elder preparedness services will provide you, and those who may eventually help you, with the framework to carry out the responsibilities of your estate as you see fit. Please feel free to contact us for all matters dealing with senior issues, from finding and overseeing in-home care, locating appropriate assisted living care, handling the relocation, dealing with the client’s possessions, and attending to whatever related matters arise.
