Asking your parent for their medical information can be a hard decision for that older adult to make. A lot of individuals are uncomfortable giving their child or relative access to their medical portal. Recently I came across an article by Stephanie Erickson of the Erickson Resource Group. Her article focused on the difficulties that family caregivers may face when supporting their aging relatives. She provided the following ten tips for organizing an older adult’s medical care.
1. Write down provider contact information: Buy a journal or make an excel spreadsheet and record all the names, addresses, phone numbers and area of specialties of each health care professional with whom they have contact.
2. Record medical conditions and medications: Include the diagnosis or problem treated by each of these health care professionals, as well as the medication prescribed.
3. Have an emergency plan: Document the emergency procedure to contact these professionals in a time of crisis as well as their normal office/clinic hours.
4. Get permission to talk with the doctor: Encourage your family member to sign an Authorization with each professional so you have the legal authority to exchange information.
5. Encourage them to ask questions: Suggest that your family member bring a list of questions and concerns to each appointment, then have them document the answers. Include your questions on this list and give it to your loved one to bring to the appointment.
6. Get to know your neighborhood pharmacist: Document the pharmacy name and location for each medication prescribed so you can discuss any medication concerns or interactions with the pharmacist. Make sure your family member signs an Authorization at each pharmacy.
7. Make a master list: Include all medical diagnosis, medications, surgical history, current treatment regimens and treating physicians. Ask your parent to keep this in their wallet or purse, in case of an emergency. Place a copy of this form on the refrigerator.
8. Prepare essential legal documents: Encourage your parent to draft a Continuing/Durable Power of Attorney and/or Living Will so they will be assured you can act on their behalf, if necessary.
9. Keep tabs on appointment times: If your loved one has memory problems, it is especially important for you to help keep track of the dates and times of appointments so that you can remind him or her, if necessary.
10. Help their doctor help them: If your loved one will not allow you to attend medical appointments and he or she will not share information with you, but you have concerns about significant health and safety issues, write an email or letter to the doctor listing your concerns.
At our office located at 318 West Middle Street, we have PA CareKits available for free. A lot of the previous suggestions are combined in this kit for you to complete for your loved one. Please stop by our office during business hours (Monday through Friday 8:00AM -4:30PM) and pick up a care kit.
Are you interested in changing your health care plan? If you are on Medicare, open enrollment begins Oct 15th and runs through December 7th. Please call our office at 717-334-9296 to make an appointment with one of our PA Medi volunteers. Appointments are expected to fill up fast.
If you have access to Facebook, please look at our page when you have a moment. We share great information and introduce our staff and volunteers to you on a regular basis. And if you can, please follow us on Facebook!
Finally, remember what Walt Disney once said, “Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional.”
Lynn Deardorff is the Executive Director at the Adams County office for Aging, Inc. She can be reached at ldeardorff@acofa.org