When you are supporting an elderly parent at home, it can be surprisingly easy to lose track of what medications were taken, when the last GP appointment was, or how your parent's mood and appetite have changed over recent weeks. A daily log book provides a simple, reliable way to keep a written record, one that can be shared with other family members, referred back to at medical appointments, and used to spot patterns over time. This guide looks at several options, from a straightforward everyday log to a comprehensive care journal with vital signs tracking, to help carents find what might work best for their situation.
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1. Stockport Publishing Carer Daily Log Book
A comprehensive daily log book from Stockport Publishing with 130 pages in a large 8.5 x 11 inch format. Each daily page covers medication, meals, personal care, vital signs, mood, activities and handover notes, with additional reference pages for emergency contacts, current medications, allergies, daily routines, dietary restrictions and safety information, making it one of the most complete options in this comparison.
Pros:
✔️ Comprehensive daily pages covering medication, personal care, vitals, mood, meals and handover notes
✔️ Reference section covers emergency contacts, current medications, allergies, routines and safety risks
✔️ 130 pages — suitable for several months of consistent daily use
✔️ Large 8.5 x 11 inch format — generous writing space per entry
✔️ Affordable and easy to replace when full
✔️ Lightweight paperback — easy to carry to appointments
Cons:
❌ Comprehensive sections may feel like more than needed for lighter-touch everyday support
🏆 Best for: Carents who want a comprehensive daily record covering the full range of care observations, from medication and vitals to personal care and handover notes, in one well-organised book.
2. FHC LOGBOOKS Carer Daily Log Book
A structured daily log book divided into morning, afternoon, evening and bedtime sections, a practical format that reflects the natural rhythm of a caring day and makes it easy to see at a glance what happened when. Sections cover emergency contacts, medication and treatment procedures, personal care (lavatory use, showering, bathing), exercise and activity, and additional notes. A separate medication and treatment section ensures all doses taken in a day are recorded in one place.
Pros:
✔️ Morning/afternoon/evening/bedtime structure — mirrors the rhythm of a caring day
✔️ Covers medication, personal care, meals, exercise and care procedures
✔️ Separate medication and treatment section
✔️ Emergency contacts section at the front
✔️ Well suited to multi-person handovers
✔️ Clear, practical layout developed specifically for care workers and family carents
Cons:
❌ May feel more clinical than necessary for lighter-touch home support
❌ No vital signs tracking sections (blood pressure, oxygen etc)
🏆 Best for: Carents where more than one person shares supporting responsibilities, or where paid support workers are involved, the time-divided structure makes daily handovers much clearer.
3. Ken Mihara Carer Daily Log Book
A comprehensive 120-page care journal designed specifically for elderly parents and those living with dementia or Alzheimer's. Each daily page captures mood, pain level and alertness, meals and fluid intake, toileting, personal care, physical therapy, housekeeping, appointments and vital signs (blood sugar, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature and oxygen levels). Additional reference sections include an annual planner, key appointments log, vital signs reference charts, a weekly meal planner and a weekly tasks planner. Flexible design suits both single-parent and multi-parent use.
Pros:
✔️ Comprehensive daily sections — covers mood, pain, meals, toileting, vitals and more
✔️ Vital signs tracking with reference charts included
✔️ Annual planner, appointments log and weekly planners included
✔️ Specifically designed for dementia and Alzheimer's care
✔️ 120 pages — suitable for several months of daily use
✔️ Flexible design for single or multiple parents
Cons:
❌ Not ideal where a simpler, quicker log is preferred
🏆 Best for: Carents whose parent has complex daily needs, is living with dementia, or where medical observations such as blood pressure and blood sugar need to be tracked alongside daily care.
4. Black Forest Publications Carer Daily Log Book
A daily log book in A4 format designed to be suitable for both family carents and professional care workers supporting elderly or disabled adults at home. Sections cover daily care tasks, medication, meals, appointments and notes. The A4 size makes it practical for use at a table or desk, and easy to file or share with other family members or healthcare professionals.
Pros:
✔️ A4 format — more writing space per page than smaller alternatives
✔️ Suitable for both family carents and professional home care workers
✔️ Covers daily tasks, medication, meals, appointments and notes
✔️ Covers Morning, Noon, Evening, and Bedtime Routines
Cons:
❌ Less detailed log room for behaviour or vital signs
🏆 Best for: Carents who prefer a larger, easier-to-write-in format, particularly useful where the log book stays at the parent's home and multiple people write in it, or where it will be shared with a GP or community nurse.
Which Log Book Might Suit Your Situation?
The right choice depends on how much detail you want to record, how many people are involved, and whether medical tracking is part of the daily routine:
📝 For a comprehensive everyday record covering medication, vitals, personal care and handover notes: Stockport Publishing Log Book — 130 pages, large format, with reference sections for emergency contacts, routines and safety information.
🔄 For multi-person handovers and shift-based support: FHC LOGBOOKS — morning/afternoon/evening/bedtime structure, medication section.
📊 For multiple parents' comprehensive care including vital signs and dementia support: Ken Mihara Log Book — 120 pages, full daily tracking, annual planner and reference charts.
📋 For a larger format that stays at home and is easy to share: Black Forest Publications A4 Log Book — more writing space, suitable for family and professional use.
If you've found a log book or record-keeping system that has made a real difference to how you manage your parent's care, get in touch at hello@carents.co.uk and help other carents make confident choices.
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