Being a full-time case manager on top of parenting a medically complex child can be a daunting task. Finding ways to do things faster and smarter can make your life easier down the road.
Here are some suggestions to help you stay organized.
- Designate a work area in your home and invest in the tools you will need for day-to-day communication. These could include a computer, printer and a large wall calendar.
- Create a status document. Organize all your activities by subject (school accommodation, advocacy, health service agencies, funding requests) and then log all your phone calls, emails and updates under each subject by date. This will help you stay on top of things, especially when you are waiting to hear back from several people.
- Decide on a system to keep your information. You may want to use binders, hanging file folders and/or your computer. Consider the best places to keep the following:
- list of current medications and dosages
- medical summaries
- care instructions
- school IEP plans
- medical supply orders
- contact information for health-care providers, teachers, school, therapists, home nursing agencies
- receipts for out-of-pocket expenses; you will need these when applying for tax credits
- Find a daily calendar system that works best with your personality. If you are a visual person, you may benefit from a pen and paper agenda; if you are tech savvy, you may be better suited to using an online calendar tool or smartphone app.