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I cared for my mother for eight years as she went through multiple stages of heart disease and related issues. A nurse told me early on, “You have to stand up for your mother. I was tired and hurt and scared. I no longer wanted to be a strong patient advocate; I wanted Mommy to hold me and tell me everything was going to be okay.

I learned the basics of caregiving through trial and error, simple steps that made every transition safer and easier. Very often it was routine unsupervised matters that significantly disrupted their care.

The best way to avoid these problems is to prepare. Whether you’re dealing with a short-term medical problem, a long-term illness, or caring for the elderly, you may be faced with seemingly never-ending patient transfers from one facility to another. Each step presents an opportunity for error as patients are placed in an unfamiliar environment cared for by people unfamiliar with their situation.

1. Keep a list of current medications and have them available to caregivers if needed. Also, be sure to check this list against their list to ensure all medications have been properly transported from one location to another. This is so very, very important and takes little time on your part.

2. Get to know the team, even if your stay is short. I was always amazed at the noticeable difference in care as I took the time to learn the caregiver’s name and treat everyone with respect. Most are there because they love people and want to provide appropriate care for each patient. Too often they work in difficult conditions and long hours. A friendly encounter can be a breath of fresh air for a weary soul.

3. Keep the GP and other caregivers informed of any changes in behavior, eating habits, and reactions to food or medication. (I couldn’t communicate well with Mom’s doctor when she started not speaking. I thought it was just her stubborn will. Was it, or was something else going on that he might have been able to help?)

4. Even when making small decisions, consider the patient – make decisions based on their needs and preferences, not just your own. Look around the room before you leave, you need to tidy up the bedside table or close the blinds. Sounds trivial, right? Would it be if you lay flat on your back and could do nothing all night and day except worry about the irritation, whatever it might be?

I am thankful for every hospital and healthcare facility and the many committed people who work in them. In general, they proved to be a safe haven for Mother, a place where she could be well cared for, as well as a place where I could get some much-needed respite from the daily responsibilities of decision-making.

I have often found comfort and encouragement in God’s Word, I hope you will too. “Do not worry about anything, but pray about everything; make your needs known to God, and do not forget to thank him for his answers. When you do this, you will know the peace of God…” Philippians 4:6-7

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