up-to-date will or living trust. She should also have a “living will,” a document that expresses her desire for end-of-life care. If you can foresee a time when she will no longer be able to make her own medical decisions, ask her to give you or another trusted person “durable power of attorney for health care,” the legal authority to choose treatments. (Doing all this might well give you the incentive to get your own affairs in order, too.)
From here on out, you’ll have to develop a close relationship with your relative’s medical team, including her doctors, nurses, pharmacist, and, if possible, a representative from her insurance company. Doctors and nurses can provide important instructions on topics ranging from prescription medications and insulin injections to mattress pads and bedpans.
A pharmacist can review your relative’s medication list to help avert dangerous interactions between drugs and may be able to find ways to reduce the costs of prescriptions. Going with your loved one to doctor appointments and taking notes is also an important role for caregivers.
Keep in mind that your relative will be more likely to get the coverage she deserves if you can make contact with the person at the insurance agent who is in charge of her case. Familiarize yourself with the company’s guidelines and the fine print of all your relative’s policies. If you feel that your relative has been unfairly denied coverage, get on the phone and make your case.
Opportunities and obstacles
You also need to take a close look at your own situation. The National Family Caregivers Alliance recommends examining your strengths and weaknesses, as well as opportunities and threats. Call it a SWOT inventory (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats). Your strengths might include