ORGANIZING TIPS FOR A  CAREGIVER

As a caregiver, it is a constant challenge to keep balanced and organized.  Of course, the best way to get organized is to have a plan of action BEFORE a crisis occurs.

However, if you become a caregiver unexpectedly, these lists and tips from the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers will help your family prioritize what needs to be done.  

In either situation, involve your loved one as much as possible, carefully considering his or her input.


Access to Documents: 

·        Medical: medical directives, DNRs, Health Care Power of Attorney, Living Wills, disability/health/dental/long term care/life insurance, contact information for all doctors, detailed information regarding prescriptions.  

·        Personal:  will, birth/marriage/divorce certificates, driver’s license, organ donation, military record, passport/visa, Durable Power of Attorney.

·        Financial: banking, deeds, loans and bills, investments.

·        Final wishes regarding funeral arrangements/wake, music, passages to be read, officiate. 

Family Meetings/Updates:

·        Share this opportunity with others to give back. Family members, friends, church family, etc. can do something to help Grandpa, or you (prepare a meal, laundry, errands.)  Say “yes please!” to assistance – everyone will benefit.  

·        Identify action items, and assign each task a level of importance.  Set priorities first, taking care of less important details later.

·        Discuss what needs to be done, by whom, how often and for how long, how it will be paid for, and at what location.

·        Embrace the theme of simplification regarding physical space, schedules, obligations and responsibilities to make way for new and evolving circumstances. 

Comfort:

·       Remember your personal needs.  You will need to refuel, gain perspective, and work through any number of frustrations.  Know your limits and respect them.

·       Lean on the healing power of relationships and emotional support.  Family nights, outings, visits from friends, activities, phone calls, or conversation can take both your minds off illness temporarily.

·       Utilize online tools: from caregiver calendars, lists and charts to support groups.

·       Give everyone a generous learning curve, including you and the patient.  Work hard to let go of perfection and hyper-vigilance in things that don’t really matter.  What really matters in this chapter of your life, and perhaps the last chapter of your loved one, is love.

Written by Jennifer Asselin, Professional Organizer with Living Arrangements Professional Organizing.

For additional information on getting organized, please visit www.NapoMichigan.com.

Organizing your Books and Magazines

The National Association of Professional Organizers in Michigan shares some tips on organizing your books and magazines. 

These simple tips will help you get and stay organized:

1.      Keep magazines for the last six months and recycle the old ones. 

2.      If you are interested in a recipe or article, tear it out and put it in a subject folder.

3.      Getting too many magazines to keep up to read? Evaluate which ones you truly enjoy and have time to read.  For those that you want to cut, consider transferring those magazines to an E-book subscription or just don’t renew. 
 
4.      Be sure to put the magazines in a magazine rack or holder.  When you have time to catch up, they’ll be together and handy. 

5.      Instead of buying books that you will only read once, check it out at the library.

6.      Categorize your books in a bookcase by subject -- fiction, non-fiction, spiritual, certain subjects, journals, etc.  This way you can find your book immediately based upon the subject matter.

Organizing your magazines and books is easier than you think! 

For more organizing tips, visit www.NapoMichigan.com. 

Article submitted by Chapter member Debbie Tebbe, www.organizedhappyhelper.com.