LIVIO CARES | EDITION 5
Building a strong support system Family, friend, and caregiver involvement in your life & care plan
PAGE 2 Caregiver & Family Relief PAGE 3 Advance Care Planning PAGE 5 Loyal Companions
Welcome, we’re glad you’re here We know you already have enough on your plate and navigating a fragmented health care system shouldn’t be an added burden. Livio Health is here for you. Our care teams help remove the stress of managing a chronic or serious condition by advocating for your health priorities and proactively communicating with those that support you. We know that family members and support systems are important people in your life. We recommend including your circle of support in Livio visits to ensure others know what you want your healthcare to look like—both now and in the future. We believe the more people that understand what’s important to you, the better people can advocate for your goals and wishes.
Thank you for trusting us to care for you,
Dr. Kavita Nair Kavita Nair, MD Senior Medical Director
Caregiver support group Livio Health is hosting a virtual support group that will bring caregivers together to share experiences, learn from one another, and promote self-care. Each month, participants will be guided through discussion and activities by a licensed Livio social worker. For more information on dates, topics, and how to attend, visit liviohealth.com/caregivers. 1
FAMILY AND CAREGIVER RELIEF
Including your support system At Livio, we believe that care should be inspired by people’s lives, not their diagnosis. With that philosophy, we recognize that chronic or serious illness doesn’t just affect your life. It can impact everyone in your support system—spouses, children, siblings, caregivers, friends, other family, or community members. No matter your relation, these are the people you trust and want involved in your care. They play an important role in our your life, so they become a priority for Livio care teams too.
Identifying needs Friends, family members, and caregivers might be facing challenges too. We might ask: “How are you doing?” “What questions do you have about this condition or our care plan?” “Where do you need support?” Including key support people into the conversation ensures everyone’s perspectives are heard.
Relieving burdens Once care teams understand the areas where more support is needed, they can find accessible solutions. Whether that’s help completing paperwork, emotional support, financial assistance, connections to community organizations, coordinating appointments, or communicating with providers on the family’s behalf—Livio can minimize stress so that you and your family can worry less.
Providing education We want caregivers to feel well-equipped for their role. What medications are currently prescribed? How can we address symptoms at home? How might this illness progress in the future? How can we prepare for changes in health? Livio clinicians can provide knowledge, resources, and guidance that answer any questions like these.
Guiding decision making Livio care teams can facilitate conversations about goals of care and advance care planning. We’ll help you set expectations for how involved you want your loved ones in your care. We create a safe space that ensures everyone feels heard and understands next steps.
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ADVANCE CARE PLANNING CONVERSATIONS
Involving others in your care We believe care should be centered around you and your values. Our care teams focus on getting to know you and will guide you along the health journey you lay out for yourself. We work with you to not only solve for today’s needs but also think about the future as your condition changes over time. As your trusted advocate, Livio care teams help you and your family understand your options, so you feel empowered to make the decisions that are right for you.
What is advance care planning? No one likes making important decisions under pressure – without getting time to think things through, consult someone you trust, or consider all the options first. That stressful situation can easily be avoided with proactive preparation. That’s exactly what advance care planning is: a way to plan for your future as you grow older, especially for events related to your health. As your health changes, you’ll face new healthcare decisions about treatment or care. If you think about your current values and goals ahead of time, you can consider which care options align. Care planning is not a permanent commitment. You can change your mind at any time. 3
An important part of advance care planning is documenting your preferences and sharing that information with trusted friends, family, and healthcare providers.
What topics are covered in advance care planning conversations? First, it’s important to recognize what a good day looks like for you. What do you enjoy doing most? Is it time spent with family or friends? Is it a day of doing activities you love? What do you need to enjoy a good life, even as your condition changes? Second, understanding your core values will help guide decision-making later. What matters most to you at this point in your life? (Don’t worry, you can always change your answer!) Do you want to spend time with friends and family? Do you hope to remain active in your community? Do you wish to remain independent at home? We call that your “most important thing” and use it to drive your care plan. Third, identify your support system. Who supports you when you need help? Who do you trust to be involved with your care? An important step in the planning process is to choose a healthcare agent.
What is a healthcare agent and what do they do? Also known as a healthcare proxy or surrogate decision-maker, a healthcare agent is someone who makes care-related decisions based on your wishes if you are unable to communicate. The person you choose to be your healthcare agent is someone who knows you, your health condition, and your wishes. They have permission to access your medical records and talk with your doctors and nurses if you are unable. If you can’t make the decision due to a physical or mental impairment, they can make decisions about tests, procedures, and treatments. They can reference the information in your healthcare directive, statements you’ve made in the past, and what they know about you personally.
This person does not need to be a family member, they could be anyone in your life. You could choose a sibling, cousin, parent, spouse, adult child, neighbor, friend, or community member.
How does advance care planning help me and everyone involved in my care? Advance care planning allows you to document your preferences and decisions about healthcare. Should you experience a complication from a sudden event or serious illness, you’ve already decided what types of treatment you would or would not want. Facilitating these conversations helps align you, your family, and your health care providers on the same goals. When you clearly establish your preferences, it equips everyone with the knowledge and assurance that you will get the care you want.
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LOYAL COMPANIONS
Adding a pet to your life Pets can be a friend or family member just as much as any human. Studies have shown that having a pet in your life can increase exercise levels and time outdoors, provide opportunities for socialization, help lower blood pressure and more. In most cases, adding a pet to your life can make you happier and healthier, it’s just a matter of finding the right pet for your situation. If you don’t already have an animal companion in your life, there are several important things to consider before adding a new member to your family, particularly if you’re also living with a chronic or serious illness.
How much will maintaining a pet cost (food, veterinary care, etc.)? Having pets can be expensive! From a cat who eats part of a sock and needs to have emergency surgery to a budgie with a virus, you’ll need to be able to plan ahead for your pet’s health emergencies as well as their everyday care needs. 5
Are pets allowed where I live? Some apartments and condominium complexes may have limits on the number or type of pets residents are allowed to have.
How much exercise or activity does the animal need and what type is most beneficial? Fish in a well-maintained tank don’t need activity outside their habitat, but a herding breed puppy is going to need constant movement and stimulation. Be sure to choose a pet based on your ability to meet its needs.
How would a pet fit into my life? When you’re living with a chronic or serious illness, it’s important to consider your pets in your advance care planning. Who will be your support system if you’re not feeling up to providing necessary activity or exercise for a few days? Who will care for your pet if you have a prolonged hospital stay or even several medical appointments in a row that fill up a day?
Considering a new pet but have questions about how it will fit within your life? Ask your Livio care team.
You’ve Asked, We’ve Answered My spouse has dementia and I’m not sure how to best support him as his primary caregiver. What advice can you give? Answered by April Tuftee, Livio Social Worker. It’s important to understand that you don’t need to take on all caregiving tasks alone. Embrace flexibility and give yourself grace. Fortunately, there are many ways to support a spouse with dementia at any point in your caregiving journey.
Focus on the moments often No one knows what the future will bring, so enjoying small moments of fun and togetherness can keep you connected.
Be patient and empathetic When things get tough, try to separate the disease and related symptoms from the person you love. For example, if your spouse with dementia snaps at you or criticizes your appearance, of course it will be hurtful. Try your best to take a step back and ask, is it the disease talking?
Stay as physically active as is safe and possible Exercise, like taking walks together, and sharing nourishing meals is beneficial for everyone.
Keep laughing together Watch old TV shows or movies that you’ve enjoyed in the past, read funny books, or listen to comedy routines. Laughter is great medicine for dementia patients and can be a great release for caregivers.
Take care of yourself This is often the most difficult piece of advice for caregivers to follow – you may feel your uninterrupted presence is necessary to provide routine and consistency, but no one can be a caregiver year-round, 24/7 without burning out. Caring for yourself means you’ll be better able to care for your loved one. Working with Livio Health gives you valuable access to a supportive care team who can provide tailored care that benefits not only you as the patient, but your caregiver spouse as well. After a dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis, your Livio care team can help you understand the illness, work with you through its progression and help you, your spouse, and other family members make plans for the future. We also offer a caregiver support group, which meets monthly.
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401 Harding St NE Suite #100 Minneapolis, MN 55413
Call our 24/7 medical line anytime, day or night Need advice fast or have a question in the middle of the night? Call Livio’s medical line. From rashes to headaches, shortness of breath to stomach pain, our on-call clinicians can provide immediate consultation over the phone. We know you and your medical history—so you’ll get personalized advice on the best next steps for you. Call 612-398-7000 and you’ll be connected to a licensed clinician who can provide immediate guidance. In cases of medical emergency, always call 911.
Livio Health is an independent company that provides primary, urgent, and palliative care services.