As a caregiver, how can I be more organized with paperwork?

A binder that contains all important information needed for the caregiving of your elder and that can be grabbed quickly and transported easily is essential. In it, you'll want insurance information, a history of medical problems, a family history, a list of your loved one's doctors and medications, a list of all diagnostic tests that have been performed and their results, a place to write notes when attending health care visits, and folders to keep receipts until they can be filed at a later date.

You may be inundated with physical paper - bills, prescriptions, legal and financial. Start with organizing these by type. Bills in one folder, etc.

Record everything in a spreadsheet. If you are not computer savvy then have a family member, friend, or relative help.

After you organize the paper, organize the care. That could mean keeping a comprehensive notebook with your loved one's medical history, schedule of appointments, medications.

Again, you can organize that on a spreadsheet.

Or you can avail yourself of online resources to help. Search for the various caregiving organizations online.

For example, here is one resource. Lotsa Helping Hands is a private, web-based community for organizing friends, family, and colleagues – your ‘circles of community’ – during times of need. You can easily coordinate activities and manage volunteers. You can easily communicate and share updates using announcements, message boards, and photos and safely store vital information.

That is one example. A good one because even the federal government recognizes them on the Ask Medicare information site for caregivers.

Don't become overwhelmed. Take one step at a time. And ask for help.