The Medication List

Managing my son’s medications has been one of the most critical aspects of our daily routine. Over the years, I’ve found that keeping a well-organized medication list is a lifesaver. I use Microsoft Word to create a detailed table for his medications, but Google Docs works just as well and is free. We keep a copy of this list on the fridge, making it easily accessible to anyone, like a babysitting relative or exhausted parent, who might need to reference it.

Every time there’s a change in his medication dosage or a new prescription, I update the list, rename the file with the current date, and replace the old copy on the fridge. This ensures that I have a complete record of all his medications, including when each one was started. I’ve been doing this since 2008, and it’s a comprehensive history that has become invaluable.

Whenever we head to a doctor’s appointment or, heaven forbid, make another trip to the ER, I always bring the current medication list. It includes details about medication allergies, ensuring that even in stressful situations, I won’t forget something important.

Creating your own medication list is straightforward, even if you’re not very tech-savvy. Start by making a document, writing “Morning” at the top, and adding a table with three columns and one row for each medication. Label the columns with the name of the medication, dosage, and time of day it needs to be taken. You can then add Afternoon, Evening, Bedtime, etc. in exactly the same way. I find it helpful to keep this one page long if at all possible, so I make fonts smaller and adjust the margin and table size as needed.

How to Add Medication Images

To make the list even clearer, I include images of each medication. Here’s how you can take partial screenshots:

For Mac Users:

1. Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 4:
   • Your cursor will turn into a crosshair.
2. Click and Drag:
   • Click and hold your mouse or trackpad button, then drag to select the area you want to capture.
3. Release:
   • Release the mouse or trackpad button to take the screenshot.
4. Find Your Screenshot:
   • The screenshot will be saved to your desktop by default with the filename starting with “Screen Shot.”

For PC Users:

1. Press Windows Key + Shift + S:
   • Your screen will dim, and your cursor will turn into a crosshair.
2. Click and Drag:
   • Click and hold your mouse or trackpad button, then drag to select the area you want to capture.
3. Release:
   • Release the mouse or trackpad button to take the screenshot. The selected area will be copied to your clipboard.
4. Paste the Screenshot:
   • Open an image editor or a document (e.g., Paint, Word), and press Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot.
5. Save Your Screenshot:
   • Save the file in your preferred format and location.

After capturing the screenshots, insert them into your table. Click into the desired cell and insert the image. If it’s too large, click on the image and drag the corner to resize it. It might take a bit of trial and error, but you’ll get the hang of it quickly. This visual aid helps ensure that anyone assisting with medication can easily identify each pill.

The Packing List

Every now and again, we get the chance to take a trip, and the packing list is a must-have. Before the list, I’d find myself continually racking my brain to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. It was stressful. Now I have a list. It’s been fine-tuned by years of experience and is very much specific to my sweet guy. I edit the file if need be, and then print it out. I make a copy of the medication list and check off each item (I add the list to the bag with all the medications).

For road trips or other journeys with multiple stops, I also make a mini-list. This is the list of luggage, bags, and boxes that are moved from the car to the motel room and back again. I accidentally left the bag containing all of the medications on a road trip and didn’t realize it was missing until we were an 8-hour drive away, setting up in another motel. I was able to replace most of the medications at a pharmacy nearby – but one medication was unavailable, and we ended up in the Roswell New Mexico ER at 2:00 am when seizures set in. It was a painful lesson.

The Calendar

Syncing all our devices – my iPhone, iPad, and desktop – ensures that we never miss an appointment. I add every single appointment with two reminders: one for the day before and one for an hour before. Caring for my son means that some days I might miss a little extra sleep or get distracted, so these reminders are essential.

Having a detailed calendar also helps with medical records. When someone asks when my son last saw the dentist or doctor, I can quickly pull up the information. Tracking his seizures in the calendar, noting the length, severity, and time, makes our visits to the neurologist much smoother. This detailed record-keeping can also be helpful when discussing any changes in his condition with other healthcare providers.

Shared Calendars

One of the best decisions I made was setting up a shared calendar with my son’s other caregivers. This includes my respite provider (Tom’s brother) and other family members. We use Google Calendar, which allows everyone to see appointments, therapy sessions, and other important events in real-time. This way, everyone is on the same page, and it minimizes the risk of scheduling conflicts. If I update an appointment or add a new one, everyone gets a notification. It’s been a game-changer for us.

Conclusion

Being a caregiver for my son is a journey filled with challenges and triumphs. Utilizing tools like medication lists and calendars has made the process more manageable. Remember, you’re not alone – seek support, stay informed, and take care of yourself as you navigate this rewarding journey. Having structured lists and calendars has not only helped in managing daily tasks but also in maintaining a sense of control and organization in our lives. By staying organized, we can better focus on the moments that matter and provide the best care possible for our loved ones. Moreover, these tools can help ensure that all caregivers are on the same page, reducing confusion and stress for everyone involved.

Embrace the tools and strategies that work best for you and your family. Stay flexible and be willing to adapt as circumstances change. With a little planning and the right tools, you can navigate the challenges of caregiving with confidence, grace, and humor whenever possible.