The No Brainer: Notes

All caregivers need a notebook in their toolbox. Note-taking is a Must-Do in your journey as a caregiver. Note-taking by a computer or a physical notebook are essential. Your notes are an invaluable resource. They hold information that might be crucial to the current conversation.

If you receive conflicting information, your notes will help unravel that issue. If you are promised or are told something, and you find the facility or individual backtracking, your notes will back up your claim. My notes saved me multiple times. I want them to save you and your loved ones as well.

For my notetaking, I like to use a divided spiral notebook. Each section is dedicated to a specific topic. This would also work with an app or word-processing program. My examples are below, but please create any category that works best in your situation.

• Prescriptions

• Care Facility

• Hospital Visits

• Dialysis

• Financial

•  Inventory List (Click the link for more information on creating an inventory list.)

Doctors are not included in the above list. Since my dad had several doctors in different specialties, I found that a divided spiral notebook reserved for his doctors worked best for me.

When you are in the applicable notetaking section, include the following information in your notes:

• The name and title of the person you are speaking with,

• The date and time of the conversation,

• The key points of the discussion.

Here is an example why notes are so important.

You are having a conversation with a financial institution. The first representative needs to transfer you. You find out that the initial call was not documented, or you are disconnected. You call back and are required to:

1. Repeat the reason for your call and,

2. State what the first representative told you.

3. Remind you of all the points if you need to file a complaint.

Stop your internal questioning and turn to your notes.

This post contains affliate links. If you make a purchase through the links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Products that I like:

Divided sprial notebooks

Label Maker