One of the many jobs family caregivers take on is keeping track of their senior loved ones’ medical information. A little bit of organization can go a long way toward helping your loved one remain healthy, and you should make sure to keep all of this crucial info in a safe place.
1. Insurance Information
Maintain an updated list of your loved one’s Medicare and Medicaid information as well as policy numbers and contact information for any supplemental or private insurance. By having these details at your disposal, you can expedite your loved one’s treatment in the event he or she is unable to provide the information independently. It also helps the doctor or treatment facility determine which types of treatments are covered and can prevent your loved one from receiving unexpected charges.
2. Current Medications & Supplements
Keep a current list of all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements your loved one is taking, including the dosage and time of day they’re taken. This can prevent duplication of medications and potentially dangerous interactions. You should also include a list of any drug allergies your loved one has.
A home caregiver can help you keep track of your loved one’s health status and remind him or her to take prescribed medications. Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care for the help they need. We provide high-quality home care, including comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
3. Medical History
Whether your loved one is seeing a new primary care physician, a specialist, or an emergency room doctor, he or she will be asked for his or her medical history. This information helps the doctor identify risk factors for certain diseases, fine-tune the diagnosis, and plan an appropriate course of treatment. You can facilitate the process by keeping a list detailing all of your loved one’s chronic medical conditions, past illnesses, injuries, and surgeries. It’s also helpful to include causes of death and health conditions of your loved one’s parents and siblings.
Maintaining proper medical information is important for older adults with serious health issues. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care service Frederick, MD, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
4. Power of Attorney Documents
There may come a time when you’ll be called upon to make medical decisions on behalf of your loved one. A medical power of attorney and advanced healthcare directive allow your loved one to designate who will act on his or her behalf and to specify his or wishes regarding medical treatment. An attorney can help you draft these documents, and you should provide copies to all of your loved one’s doctors.
Updated medical information and attentive family members are just two of the many things older adults need to enjoy a high quality of life. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a trusted provider of Frederick senior home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping. If you need professional home care for your loved one, reach out to one of our Care Managers today at (301) 786-5045.
