Get Organized

RJ "When Your Loved One Needs More Then You Can Give"

Ron Joy Rehabilitation Center &

Skilled Nursing Facility

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Get Organized

How to Get Organized

The most important concept behind getting organized is remembering to involve your loved one as much as possible. People naturally have a tendency to look at changes more favorably if they think they had a certain amount of involvement in some of the decisions that are being made. The second most important concept is to remind yourself that caring for a loved ones not a solo effort on your part. It should involve others if it is going to be successful. You can be prepared to quarterback the situation but start getting others involved right from the beginning. Other important ways to organize are:

Keep a list. You might want to divide your lists into two parts: Immediate important tasks and other tasks. This may provide you and your loved one an opportunity to discuss some of these issues and not get overwhelmed with the magnitude of these new responsibilities. Recognize that he/she may express lots of emotion when you are discussing these issues.

Be flexible. Remember the important thing is that you are making a list (or two) and whatever you do not get done today will certainly be there tomorrow! If your loved one unexpectedly objects to something o something that absolutely needs to get done, put that particular item off for a few days and look at it later. Perhaps they will be more willing to accept whatever is on your list if he/she has a few days to think about it. Just remember to expect some hurdles along the way and be prepared to be flexible.

Be prepared. We really cannot stress this enough. When your loved one hits you with an unexpected objection, be willing to listen and offer some sort of compromise. Do not be offended if he/she is uncomfortable with some aspects of your discussions. Everyone benefits if your loved one takes an active role in some of these decisions. Be prepared to offer a detailed explanation of what is happening to your loved one. He/she will be extremely apprehensive of all these proposed changes so the more prepared you are, the better.

Take notes. Carry a small notebook with you and write down all the questions or issues you may need to address. Keep this notebook separate from any other notebooks or lists that you may currently have. You will be surprised at how often you end up writing something down and you have to refer back to it. This method of organization certainly beats taking notes on various sheets of paper and trying to find them later!

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Telephone: (330) 758-8106
FAX: (330) 758-7030
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Last modified: 05/19/10