Care For Aging Relatives: Top 10 Things to Know

If you are responsible for the health care for an aging parent, (or if you are getting older and you want to make sure your health care preferences are understood by your family and friends) make a list of these top 10 vital pieces of medical information to save time—and possibly save a life:

* Doctors' names and numbers. Keep the contact information for your relative's primary care doctor close at hand. If you have nothing else, keep this information—the doctor can supply information about the relative's health history if you don't know it.
* Birth dates. Knowing your relative's birth date can speed things up in an emergency because medical records are often filed by birth date.
* Allergies. The most important allergies to know about are allergies to medications such as penicillin, but any allergies can be relevant in an eme rgency.
* Medications. In particular, know whether your relative uses blood thinners because they can interact with other medications, and keep a complete list of what he or she takes.
* Medical problems. Make sure you know your relative's medical history. Does he/she have diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis or heart disease?
* Advance directives. An advance directive is a legal document that outlines someone's preferences for health care, such as whether feeding tubes or other life support machines should be used. Find out whether your relative has such a document and make a copy. Or talk to your relative about creating an advance directive.
* Religious preferences. Some religions have rules against blood transfusions, even in emergency situations. Also, if follow-up counseling is needed after a medical emergency, you'll know whom to call.
* Insurance information. Keep a copy of your relative's insur ance card or write down the insurance company name and the group number and policy number.
* Surgery history. Know what if any surgery your aging relatives have had, anything from a knee replacement to a heart bypass to laser eye surgery could be important in an emergency.
* Lifestyle details. Does your relative smoke, drink heavily, exercise, take alternative medicines or supplements? If so, what are they?

Swanson Health Products Daily Tip for Tuesday, May 20, 2008