Helpful Hints
Managing a chronic illness or rehabilitation journey can feel like a lot. Small, repeatable routines can help patients and families feel more prepared, communicate more clearly, and make room for the things that matter most.
Stay tuned for our Helpful Hints Resource Guide coming soon...
Build one simple health system
Keep a single, up-to-date place for medication names, dosages, allergies, diagnoses, insurance details, care-team contacts, appointment notes, and questions. A personal health record can make transitions between home, hospital, and specialty care less overwhelming.
Mayo Clinic: Personal health records and patient portalsPace, plan, and protect your energy
Break larger tasks into smaller steps, build in rest before you feel depleted, and focus on the day’s most important priorities. Your care team can help you tailor activity, rehabilitation exercises, and rest to your specific condition and abilities.
AHRQ: Self-management support resourcesNotice patterns and share them
A brief daily note about symptoms, energy, sleep, mood, treatments, and what helped can make patterns easier to spot. Bring the notes that feel relevant to appointments so your team has a clearer picture of what daily life looks like between visits.
Use the reBRAINed initiative’s Daily Check-in SheetPrepare for every appointment
Before a visit, write down your top concerns, recent changes, and the questions you most need answered. Consider asking what to watch for, whom to call after hours, and what the next step in the plan should be.
AHRQ: Questions Are the AnswerInclude caregivers in the plan
Caregivers often coordinate practical details, notice changes, and provide vital emotional support. Make room for their questions and rest, too. A shared plan, a small support circle, and regular breaks can help the whole family sustain the journey.
Johns Hopkins Medicine: Chronic disease caregiver resources