How to set-up a care schedule

Make a list of all your caregiving tasks

Before you create your new care calendar, it’s important to have a good understanding of all the different things that need to be done to care for your loved one. This could include bills that have to be paid on certain days, recurring appointments or visits from a weekly home health provider.

If a task needs to be completed in a particular way, be sure to include that in your notes. You should also include an estimate of the time it will take to complete each task so you can make adequate room for it in your new schedule.

Gather your resources

Once you have an understanding of all the tasks and appointments required, you’ll want to create a list of those that you may be able to delegate tasks to. Consider whether family members or friends can drop by on certain days or if there is the possibility of having respite care throughout the week. Remember to consult the loved one you are caring for before introducing anyone new into their care routine. After all, they are the ones being cared for so they will need to make the final decision on who provides this for them. If you can get help from family members, friends or outside services, you’ll be able to enjoy some time for yourself and reduce carer burnout.

Create a schedule that works for everyone

Your next step is to create a care calendar that takes into account everyone’s availability and schedules. If possible, you should create a couple of different prospective schedules so that you can see which versions work best for everyone involved. It’s also a good idea to leave a few low-priority tasks ‘open’ so that family members can provide assistance on short notice. For instance, you could create a space for family members to volunteer for tidying up or taking care of jobs in the garden.

Prioritise important tasks

As you build your calendar, you’ll notice certain time slots or days where your care tasks overlap. This is a good opportunity to prioritise the needs of the person you’re caring for. Identify which needs are important and time-sensitive and which needs are flexible. This way you’ll know which tasks must be taken care of first and which tasks can be left for when time is available.

Take advantage of available technology

Now that you have a care schedule in place, you can take advantage of available technologies to put into calendar format. While you can always use the reliable method of writing everything down, there are a number of convenient services that allow you to create a care schedule online.

Here are some of the most common digital calendar products:

• CaringBridge: This is an online service for sharing health updates. A journal app allows you to share updates with other family members while their smartphone app allows you to make updates on the go. It also includes a planner section where you can coordinate day-to-day errands and schedules.
• CareCalender: If you need a simple solution for creating a care schedule, CareCalender offers a basic calendar with the option to allow people to sign up for empty time slots and duties. It can also be used to send email reminders as well as to provide social sharing of photos and updates.
• Cozi: If you need an easy way to organise your family and juggle schedules, Cozi is an easy option for coordinating large groups. It also includes a calendar, to-do lists and shopping lists.