Welcome back!
Sometimes I think life throws situations at us just because we are too complacent. A few months ago, on June 3rd, I posted a list of emergency room tips that highlighted the information all of us caregivers should have available in case something unexpected happens to our loved one.
Yesterday, my daughter and my father attended the 80th birthday party of a long-time friend of his. As they were leaving, Dad was standing at the top of a flight of stairs while my daughter turned to grabbed their jackets from the coat rack.
When she turned around, Dad was lying face-first at the bottom of the landing. He had passed out and taken a header down about eight steps. Someone quickly called 911 and paramedics arrived soon after.
When my daughter called, I was shocked that I didn’t have the necessary information at hand to give to the paramedics. Dad’s medication list was on my computer, but the computer was shut down due to an electrical storm. I thought I had printed it out, but couldn’t find it.
In the moment, I couldn’t adequately recall his medical history – also written down, but where?
Last night, after Dad was admitted to the hospital, my daughter said, “You know, you should write on your website about what information people need in case of an emergency.”
“I did.” I replied, rather chagrined.
Now, more than ever, I know I need to keep the information where I can quickly retrieve it. Not on a computer, but in print in a location that can’t be missed.
Now I need to decide what location I will remember in case of an emergency. Any suggestions?
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3 responses so far ↓
1 Mary // Aug 11, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I had a blue binder that we lovinging called the “Blue Book.” In the blue book I had all of Dad and Mom’s medications listed with the dosage, time of day the pills were taken, a detailed medical history, a Power of Attorney for Medical needs, an Excel spreadsheet of their family history (birthdates, day of death, cause of death etc), the most recent lab work, emergency phone numbers for my sister and myself, phone numbers of all their doctors, the local pharmacy number, the Do Not Resusitate (DNR) orders, the Out of Hospital DNR (in Texas you have to have both), and any other paperwork that I deemed important.
This “Blue Book” literally saved our lives having everything handy. Dad or Mom would get ill and the first thing I would go get is the Blue Book and my purse and put them in the car before I even got them in the car.
Another thing I did was make a laminated card that I stuck in my purse that had the basic medicine info on it and carried it wherever I went.
Since Mom and Dad have both passed my sister and I have made our own “Blue Books, ” just in case.
And I know I am running on, but there are things called EMR (Emergency Medical Records) that are a USB drive and you put all the info on this drive (it is password protected) and the elder can wear them as a key chain, necklace or bracelet (I have these on my website if you want to see what one looks like). Just a thought, many people are selling them.
2 Mary // Aug 11, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Oh, Sorry, I forgot to ask is your Dad ok? I sure hope so. Let us know.
3 Edie // Aug 14, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Mary,
You have provided us with wonderful suggestions. A gentleman on the original tips post also had great suggestions. Actually, anything other than the racing around I did the other day would work. I’m a notebook kind of person anyway, so this idea really works for me.
As far as Dad is doing – he is currently in a 2 week rehab situation where he seems to be doing okay after his first 24-hour adjustment. Thanks for asking and thanks for your comments. They are very much appreciated.