Caregiving has a way of introducing more moving parts than anyone prepares you for... Medications. Appointments. Symptoms. Supplements. Notes. Vitals. Devices. Emotions. What I’ve learned is this: caregiving doesn’t have to feel chaotic to be effective.
In the middle of supporting my dad through an intense medical season (stage 4 cancer), simple systems have become one of the most loving tools I can offer… both to him and to myself. These aren’t about control or perfection. They’re about clarity, dignity, and peace, especially when pain or confusion shows up.
Here are the systems that have made the biggest difference for us.
1. Clear Medication Systems Reduce Stress
If I’m being honest, I hate that my dad has to be on medications at all. As someone who aspires to live in a way that minimizes the need for pharmaceutical drugs, it’s hard to watch someone you love rely on them, especially knowing that every medication comes with potential side effects, and those risks can increase when multiple medications are taken together.
That’s exactly why organization became so important for us.
By creating clear medication systems—sorting doses by morning, noon, evening, and bedtime, and separating pain medications into clearly labeled travel containers—we’re able to slow down and truly pay attention to what he’s taking and how his body is responding.
This structure allows us to:
- monitor symptoms more clearly
- notice patterns or changes
- identify potential side effects
- recognize when medications may be contradicting one another
In fact, having everything organized helped us uncover medications that were actually causing harm and, in some cases, working against other prescriptions… things that weren’t caught by the ever-evolving team of doctors and medical professionals. We have bags of meds that have been discontinued or changed in the last few months because of this.
This isn’t about fear or distrust.
It’s about being informed, observant, and proactive.
It’s about being informed, observant, and proactive.
Clear systems don’t just reduce confusion, they help protect health, support better conversations with doctors, and give us confidence that we’re doing our part to advocate wisely and lovingly.
2. Tracking Vitals Helps Tell the Bigger Story
We keep a simple log of:
- blood pressure
- oxygen levels
- heart rhythm
- weight
- fever or fluid changes when needed
- moments of increased pain
This isn’t about obsessing—it’s about noticing patterns. We don’t do this every single day but we do monitor this on a weekly basis. We currently have a home health nurse coming each week and she monitors this as well.
Writing things down allows us to spot changes early and communicate clearly with healthcare providers.
3. A Dedicated Caregiving Planner Keeps Everything in One Place
I keep a planner specifically for caregiving where we track:
- doctor appointments
- device use
- vitals
- symptoms
- daily notes
Instead of holding everything in my head, it lives on paper. This alone has dramatically reduced mental fatigue and decision overload.
4. Giving Your Loved One Their Own System Supports Dignity
One of the most meaningful things we’ve done is intentionally set up my dad’s personal space so that it supports comfort, independence, and healing... not just convenience.
At his bedside, we’ve created a simple wellness station that allows him to meet many of his own needs without having to exert unnecessary energy or feel dependent for every small task.
His setup includes:
- a diffuser with essential oils to support calm, breathing, and his immune system
- a small three-drawer storage unit stocked with snacks, shelf-stable foods, and beverages so he doesn’t have to go to the kitchen as often
- water within arm’s reach so staying hydrated doesn’t require extra effort
- a small supply caddy for a spiral notebook, pens/markers, scissors, glasses, etc.
We’ve also placed:
- light weights
- resistance bands
- medical assisted devices
right in his room so he can work on rebuilding strength and mobility at his own pace, even on days when energy is limited.
In addition, we gave him a tablet so he no longer has to rely on a small phone screen. We downloaded the same apps he already uses, but with a much larger font, making it easier for him to:
- read information
- track appointments or notes
- stay connected
- watch videos or stream shows
This has been especially helpful on treatment days at the cancer center, when he may be there for long periods without easy access to entertainment or distraction. It’s been a simple change that has brought a lot of comfort and relief.
This kind of setup does more than keep things organized, it preserves dignity. It empowers him to participate in his own care, make choices, and stay engaged in his healing process.
Caregiving works best when it’s collaborative. Supporting independence wherever possible helps maintain confidence, morale, and a sense of normalcy… things that matter just as much as physical care.
5. Centralizing Notes and Medical Information Builds Confidence
I keep ongoing notes in my phone (symptoms, questions, observations) but you can also use Google docs to keep track of all the ever-changing information.
We specifically use the MyChart app to access his patient portal so I receive the same notifications he does and I can easily see his upcoming appointments, test results, doctor notes, medication list, etc.
If your medical establishment offers a patient portal, I highly recommend gaining access.
Important updates get copied into one central place so:
- nothing gets missed
- appointments are easier to prepare for
- conversations with doctors feel more confident
Information, when organized, becomes empowering. Honestly, I get complimented all the time for the amount of back story details I can relay, otherwise, whomever I am speaking to would have no idea.
Sadly, doctors, nurses and other medical staff these days are overworked and short staffed and don’t have time to read through all the notes in you or your loved one’s medical file, etc.… so being able to QUICKLY regurgitate details of the case is super helpful, especially when it’s as complicated as my dad’s.
6. Over-Reminder Appointments Are a Gift to Yourself
One of the most important systems I’ve learned as a caregiver is this: do not rely on memory alone. There are simply too many moving parts—appointments, labs, treatments, family responsibilities, daily life. Even the most organized caregiver can miss something when everything feels urgent.
I use Google Calendar, and because my dad also has a Gmail account, we’re able to share appointments easily. When I add a doctor’s visit or lab appointment to my calendar, send him the invitation. He can accept it, and it shows up on his calendar automatically. This way, he doesn’t have to physically enter appointments himself (though he can if he wants) and we both stay informed. I’m sure you can do this with Apple products as well.
When we got him the tablet, we took time to show him how this works so he can see appointments clearly on a larger screen, read reminders easily, and feel confident navigating his schedule.
I also intentionally set multiple reminders:
- the day before
- one hour before
- ten minutes before
And here’s why I’m now super passionate about this…
In the chaos of everything going on during the holidays, I assumed my dad had an appointment scheduled for the afternoon the day after Christmas (apparently I did not add it to my calendar). When I went into the portal to confirm the time, I only realized we had just missed a lab appointment by ten minutes. Ten minutes later, he was supposed to begin his immunotherapy infusion.
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get that appointment rescheduled… It's sad that every chair in the cancer center was filled for the rest of the day.
I let my dad down and that moment was hard for me to swallow, but it was also clarifying and a stark reminder.
Caregiving is not the time to “try to remember.”
It’s the time to work smarter, not harder.
It’s the time to work smarter, not harder.
Using shared calendars, reminders, and technology is invaluable. These tools support not only the person you’re caring for, but also your own home, your family, and your mental health.
Whether you’re helping to support a parent, a child, a sibling, or a dear friend, systems like this help carry the weight so you don’t have to hold it all alone.
Caregiving Doesn’t Have to Be Chaotic
Caregiving isn’t about doing everything perfectly… I am far from it.
But I’ve learned to create systems that allow me to stay informed, present, prepared, calm, and hopeful, even when things feel uncertain and heavy.
These small tools have helped us stay organized, reduce confusion, and protect peace in the middle of a complex season. If you’re caring for someone you love, I hope they help you too.
You’re not alone. Be sure to follow for more conscious caregiving tips 🤍
xo, Brandi
Want a simple way to stay organized?
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