For family and caregivers
When someone you love is hurt, you often become the one who remembers. You drive to the appointments, take the calls and keep track of what was said. This page is for you, whether the person you are caring for is your partner, your parent, your teen, an aging parent or a coworker.
Their recovery comes first. A calm, dated record of what is happening can take some of the weight off both of you, so here is where to begin.
What to write down for them in the first week
A few lines a day is enough. Write the date beside everything.
- What happened. The date, the time, the place and anyone who saw it, written down while it is fresh.
- How they feel each day. Pain, sleep, mood and anything they could not do that they could do before.
- Every appointment. Who they saw, what was said and what happens next.
- Every call and letter. Who called, the date and what was promised or decided.
- Costs. Parking, mileage, prescriptions and anything else you pay for along the way. Keep the receipts together.
- Time missed. Days off work or school, for them and for you.
How the guides help when you are the record-keeper
- One dated record. Everything about one person’s recovery lives in one place, in order, ready whenever someone asks for it.
- Fill it in on any device. Each guide is a fillable PDF that works on a phone, tablet or computer.
- Print the pages you prefer on paper. Keep a printed page by the bed or in the car for quick notes.
- They can add to it when they are able. The record stays theirs. When they feel ready, they can pick up where you left off.
Which guide?
Start with the National Recovery Guide that fits what happened.
If they were hurt in a car crash
National MVA Recovery Guide
Recovery First. Pressure Last. A dated record of symptoms, appointments, insurer calls and costs after a motor vehicle accident. $39.
See the National MVA Recovery GuideIf they were hurt at work
National Workplace Injury Recovery Guide
Your Recovery. Documented. Protected. A dated record of the injury, treatment, claim correspondence and return to work. $39.
See the National Workplace Injury Recovery GuideThen add your province’s Companion Guide. It covers the forms, timelines and terms for where you live. Companion Guides are $24.99, or $39 with a National guide. Find your province’s Companion Guide.
Buying for someone else
When you buy, the download comes to your email. You can forward it to them, or keep it on your own device and fill it in together.
Want to see the format first? Start with a free Starter tracker.
Caring for yourself too
Looking after someone who is hurt takes a lot out of you. Rest when you can, eat something warm and let other people help with the small things. Your notes can wait an hour.
If you or the person you care for is in crisis, call or text 988, the Suicide Crisis Helpline, any time of day or night.
For health questions that are not an emergency, call 811 to speak with a nurse in most provinces and territories.
In an emergency, call 911.
Hurt Square guides help you keep organized records. They are not legal or medical advice.
Questions about the guides, or about buying for someone else? Write to us at Recovery@hurtsquare.ca.
Hurt Square. Built for Injured People.