Getting the Best Care For Your Loved One: What to Share with Your Case Manager
When you’re a caregiver, every moment counts. You juggle invisible work, constant vigilance, and the quiet knowledge that you’re the main source of support.
And yet, when it comes time to describe it, specifically to a case manager who is responsible for making recommendations for care needs, you might find yourself defaulting to something like: “They’re doing okay.”
But here’s the truth: “Okay” doesn’t get your loved one the care they need.
Honesty in communication isn’t just vulnerability, it’s a service. It’s how we help our families access the most appropriate support. So when it comes time to speak with your waiver case manager, speak boldly. As our Certified Dementia Care Practitioner puts it, “Speak about the worst day, not the best.”.
Don’t Filter the Hard Parts
Think about a day when everything goes wrong. The brief leaked. You changed the sheets twice. You cleaned the floor, the clothes, the client. You did laundry, took out the trash, aired the room. That’s caregiving. It’s not a highlight reel, it’s real work.
Telling the full story (including the messy, exhausting, unrelenting parts) helps your case manager understand the level of care that’s truly needed. Skipping the hard parts because they’re “just part of the job”? That’s noble, but it can shortchange your loved one (and you!).
Get Specific. Really Specific.
A care log is essential for caregivers to help track daily activities, changes in the patient’s health or behavior, or any other notes to share with care providers.
Details tell the truth. Not “I help with meals,” but:
- “I prepare low-sodium meals, which takes an hour a day including planning and label reading.”
- “I puree all food and monitor every bite due to choking risk.”
- “I spend 90 minutes a day managing mealtimes, dishes, and grocery runs.”
These aren’t exaggerations. They’re the architecture of your day. Build that picture clearly. If you’re out of practice of observing and reporting back at such a specific level of detail, a care log (👇) might help.
Track Your Days (Even for Just a Few)
In the days before your waiver meeting, update your care log. Write down everything that applies to the current care you provide, including:
- How long you spend assisting with hygiene
- How many times you provide transfer or repositioning assistance
- How often you check vitals, administer meds, calm agitation, do laundry
- What is required to ensure elopement safety
- What you need to do your job safely
This isn’t a diary. It’s data. And data creates clarity.
Overnight? Admin Tasks? Don’t Leave Them Out
Are you setting alarms at 2am to check insulin levels? Waking to prevent wandering? Those hours count. They’re the quiet cost of round-the-clock care.
What about calling doctors, paying bills, fighting with insurance, managing appointment schedules? That’s cognitive load. And it’s part of the job, too.
Show the Whole Picture
You are the narrator of your caregiving story. And like any great storyteller, your power lies in what you choose to reveal. The more honest, detailed, and complete you are, the more effective your case manager can be.
We know it’s not easy. But Guardian Care is built around this idea: that when caregivers are supported, communities are stronger. Your clarity is a gift: to your loved one, to your care team, and to yourself.
So tell the truth. Describe the worst day. It’s vital for receiving the right care for your loved one.
Need help preparing for your waiver visit? Talk with your Guardian Care support team. Our care managers can even help you write a detailed, hour-by-hour care plan to present to your waiver case manager. We’re here to make sure your voice is heard.