A long time ago way way back before my mother became ill (about 15 years before) she cut my brother out of her will. There are justifiable reasons for this and she wrote a letter to him to explain them which she lodged with her solictor (attorney to you guys I think). Nevertheless it was pointed out to me that it wouldnt stop him challenging the will or the care I give her. Then the social workers were concerned I was incapable of looking after mum. I was furious because all I was asking for was 3 weeks respite a year (something that in the UK is an entitlement providing the social worker thinks you have a case).It's not like I wanted to go anywhere other than to my bed to sleep uninterrupted for a few nights now and again. So I started a log...I do a minimum of 56 hours one to one care of my mum every week. That's excluding laundry cleaning shopping gardening painting decorating calling ot the doctor or paramedics making appointments for her. When I could actually prove the amount I did they reluctantly agreed that not only was I a good carer but did deserve respite. My doctor is impressed that I keep a log of when she takes and when she refuses medication and how much she drinks urinates etc. It all works really well if she gets poorly because we can see what she has had/what she has done which helps build a picture for the professionals of her life and any contributory factors that might need to be addressed. Thoughts anyone - ps its really easy once you have set it up I do mine on a spreadsheet throughout the day and just see how much I have done at the end of every day. It is illuminating and is a real reminder to me that this is now my job - albeit unpaid.....
Make sure you guard your notebook - there are privacy laws (HIPAA) protecting their privacy and they ARE enforced. These notes are primarily for YOU, the caregiver, and those health professionals who need to know private information to develop a care plan for the person you are caring for.
Families can be a bit touchy if they realize you are keeping notes - but, in the case of a paid caregiver, it is a requirement of the job.
Just my two cents from my 24/7 caregiving years. Hope this helps. Good luck and God bless you all.
Just be aware of the little changes you notice - they might mean Mom is getting older, or they might be something serious that needs medical attention now.