How can a care plan help me?
Having written care plans can help you share important information with others who take care of your child. This may include doctors, nurses, therapists, emergency medics, teachers, child care providers, respite providers, grandparents, friends, and neighbors.
Families use care plans in different ways:
- A parent who has a child with developmental and health issues gives a two page description of her child to doctors, therapists, dentists, teachers, childcare providers, and even visiting family members as a way of “getting everyone on the same page.” She also likes to include a photo of her child.
- One father of a child with ongoing health issues finds it helpful to write down his questions and concerns before his child’s appointments. This helps him get organized, remember important questions to ask and have a place during the appointment to write out what the “next steps” will be.
- Another parent of a child who has had several health emergencies, keeps her child’s written care plan with her at all times. It contains important information that doctors or emergency personnel will need to know. She keeps a copy in her purse, in the car, at her child’s school and in the home.
A care plan may include:
