11 May Organizing Medical Information
Once you start caring for an elderly loved one, there are many things that you might need to think about. One of those things is your loved one’s medical information. It is important to make sure your loved one’s medical information is organized and ready for when it is needed. There are some tips for organizing your loved one’s medical information that will help to make it more easily accessible when it is needed.
Using a Calendar
Many elderly adults have numerous medical appointments. Your loved one might have medical appointments with their primary care doctor and specialists, as well. Make sure you use a calendar to keep track of all these doctor’s appointments, so none of them are ever forgotten.
Medical History
It is also important that you know all about your elderly loved one’s medical history. It can be helpful to contact the local hospital and doctor’s to get your loved one’s medical records. These can then be stored in a filing cabinet, safe, or even electronically. By getting this information, you will have health summaries, test results, and other medical information regarding your loved one. This way if you ever need to look back to see what your loved one had going on at a certain time, you can do that.
Medications
When your elderly loved one visits their doctor’s office, the doctor might alter, add to, or take something away from their list of medications. It is essential that you and their elder care providers know what your loved one is taking. Keeping a medication list updated at all times is crucial to your loved one’s health and safety.
History of Family Medical Problems
In addition to keeping track of your loved one’s health history, you should also know more about their family history of medical problems. The more that you know about their family history, the more you can be prepared for what might be to come for your loved one. For instance, if there is a history of heart health issues in your loved one’s family, this could increase their risk of having heart issues, as well.
These are some of the tips for organizing your elderly loved one’s medical information. It is essential that you always have updated lists of their doctors, appointments, medical history, medications, and family history. The more that you can organize your loved one’s medical information, the more you can be prepared for their appointments and any emergency situations that might arise, too.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Elder Care in Fairwood, WA please contact the caring staff at Care To Stay Home – Spokane today at (509) 340-1359.
Sources
How to Organize Your Medical Information in 5 Easy Steps