Seniors’ medical care can be complex. You may be surprised at just how complex it can be if you need to step in to help or even fully manage the medical care for an older loved one. Your hands are probably already full taking care of your own family, your career, and your household. This new responsibility for a parent’s or another older family member’s medical care can be overwhelming. Read on for practical and useful organization tips to keep your senior loved one’s medical care well-managed.
Organization tips for managing the medication schedule
One of the first things you may get involved in is helping with medications. Seniors frequently have multiple prescriptions from several different doctors, and they may have specific instructions that must be followed precisely. It can be difficult to keep track of, especially for an older person or someone with memory challenges. Here are some tips to ensure medications are taken properly:
- Fill all prescriptions at the same pharmacy to prevent contraindications between medications and to help coordinate refills.
- Use your pharmacy’s app or website to order refills and request physicians’ approval on time. Most pharmacies will send notifications or email reminders.
- Pharmacies can provide a printed or downloadable schedule showing when and how each medication should be taken.
- Pill organizers help seniors take the right medications at the right times. Some include audio reminders or automatic dispensers.
- Some prescription delivery companies presort pills into small packets labeled by when they should be taken during the day.
Organization tips for the medical plan
Your loved one’s medical coverage is crucial to their care. You should have access to their Medicare information and any Medicare Advantage, Medigap, or other private health care coverage they may have.
- Take pictures of all their insurance cards, front and back, and save them in your phone so they are readily available.
- If you are not your loved one’s medical power of attorney (POA), ask them to add you as an authorized contact with their medical insurance carrier, which can usually be done over the phone by your loved one. This enables the company to discuss their coverage, premiums, and claims with you.
Keeping track of the medical team
Most seniors see several physicians, specialists, and other medical personnel on a regular basis. Keeping track of their doctors and all the appointments and follow-ups takes solid organization. Here are some organization tips:
- Know who all their doctors are. Keep a list of all physicians’ names, phone numbers, and office addresses. Organize them together in your phone’s contacts list by naming them something like:
Mom – Dr. Smith – Primary Care
Mom – Dr. Jones – Cardiologist
Mom – Cedric Hatch – Physical Therapist
- Use online medical portals and apps. Most medical practices provide portal access to facilitate communication with physicians and their staff. Get your loved one’s permission to access portals using their sign-on credentials or ask to be added with your own as their authorized representative.
- Communicate with medical personnel. Ask your loved one to add you as a HIPAA contact with each of their medical providers if you are not their medical POA. This will enable the providers to legally share your loved one’s protected health information (PHI) with you. There is usually a form your loved one can complete and sign in each office to add you as a contact.
Coordinating medical appointments
Your loved one may have a lot of medical appointments. Keeping track of them all and arranging transportation can be daunting. A few tips to keep organized are:
- Take advantage of telehealth appointments. Your loved one may need help with the technology, so you may need to be with them for the appointment. Many medical offices can add multiple clients to a telehealth session so you can attend even if you aren’t physically present.
- Keep all appointments on your calendar. Whether you use an electronic or paper calendar, it will help you keep track and be reminded ahead of time. Don’t forget to remind your loved one of upcoming appointments so they’ll be prepared.
- Plan ahead for transportation. Family members may take turns driving to appointments, or you may need to arrange for hired transportation like a taxi, Uber, or Lyft. Some cities and counties have reduced-price or even free transportation for seniors’ medical appointments.
Keeping track of medical records
It’s possible you don’t know your senior loved one’s entire medical history. If you are helping them manage their health, it’s important now that you do. Be sure to learn about their:
- Past medical history. Know details of all previous hospitalizations, surgeries, procedures, and pregnancies. Ask your loved one if they have a record of those items or can list them for you. If not, you may need to dig through some paperwork or ask for a copy of the information their primary care physician already has on file.
- Medical conditions and diagnoses. Keep a complete list, both past and present, from each physician. Again, you can access this information on medical portals or ask the office to provide it.
- Complete and current medication list. Include not only prescriptions but also over-the-counter medications and supplements. Include drug names, dosages, and how they are taken. Keep a list of any drug allergies or adverse effects.
Emergency planning
No one wants to think about a medical emergency happening to a loved one. However, having all the above information readily available can take at least some of the stress out of an emergency if it happens.
- Provide family members, friends, neighbors, and caregivers with a list of emergency contacts, including names, relationships, and phone numbers.
- Get a Vial of Life kit. These kits include a medical information form and two decals: one to place on your loved one’s front door and the other wherever the form is kept in the home (they recommend in a zipped baggie in the refrigerator). This information assists emergency personnel if your loved one is alone and unable to speak for themselves in a medical emergency. Responders see the decal and can easily locate the form to quickly understand your loved one’s medical situation and see their emergency contacts.
- Keep a copy of your loved one’s important medical information available for yourself and other family members and with your loved one in their purse or wallet. This way, they can get the best care as quickly as possible if an emergency arises.
With planning and organization, you’ll feel much more confident in your ability to help your loved one manage the important medical care they need. The above organization tips can help you effectively manage the medical care of your loved one.
