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Caring for an aging parent, spouse
or other family member presents many challenges for the
caregiver, especially when a
crisis hits and the responsibilities of care giving descend upon
you unexpectedly. One of those challenges is compiling a medical
history record.
Depending on the care receivers
needs this may be a simple list on a note tablet or an extensive
personal health record. Again depending upon the need, other precautions
such as a medical alert bracelet or even a home medical
monitoring service may be in order.
Personal health records
Because many older adults take
several medications at one time, it is possible that these drugs
can interact with one another and be a danger. Often more than
one doctor is prescribing medications, it is important to keep
each doctor aware of all the drugs that are being taken or
prescribed by other physicians. If
several medications are being taken at different times through
the day, it may be helpful to develop a separate list to assist
you with daily medications. Keeping track of all this
information can be difficult but with some preparation it can
become more manageable.
Caregivers can maintain a
Personal Health Record as an ongoing record of the care
receivers service providers, medications and procedures. It is also a way to provide
information between the many providers and services that help
care for a child or family. Healthcare professionals recommend
that caregivers also bring this record to all medical appointments.
And an easily accessible health record can be especially important when
a substitute caregiver occasionally takes your place.
Medical Alert IDs
Anyone with special medical
needs should always wear or carry the appropriate emergency
information. If one or two words are all that's needed to
describe a condition or alert medics to special needs then a
Medical ID bracelet may be appropriate.
Where more information
must be available, the new USB flash drive medical alert from
MedicTag
can carry medications, doctors, existing conditions, allergies,
emergency contacts and much more.
Home Medical Alarms
A medical alarm is an alarm
system designed to alert someone that you require urgent
attention. It may call a neighbor or family member, or summon
emergency medical personnel through a call monitoring center.
Another term for a medical alarm is PERS or
Personal Emergency
Response System.
Typical systems have a wireless pendant or transmitter that can be activated in an emergency. When the medical alarm is activated, the signal is transmitted to an alarm monitoring company's central station, emergency services agency or other programmed phone numbers. Medical personnel are then dispatched to the site. Any one or combination of these
solutions may be appropriate for your situation. Each of them
has a place in a caregivers toolbox and
HOPEFULLY will make their task a little easier while adding a
measure of safety for the care receiver.
Your doctors, pharmacists and
even local EMS personnel can help you determine the records you
need to keep and the level of precautions necessary but it is
better to have to much than not enough - Oh, and tomorrow is not
soon enough. The time to get started on it is NOW.
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© 2007 Caregiver Rx