How to Organize a Personal Health Journal For Aging Parents

The complexities of health care problems in the aging adult can complicate communications with health professionals, due to the multiple and detailed diagnoses, symtomology, medications and treatment plans that can be part of their disease processes and daily life. Because elderly parents may not be able to effectively organize medical information, it is essential that we assist our parents in collecting and organizing their medical information. An easy and simple way to gather all of your parents health information is to compile a "Health Care Journal".

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• The items listed below are essential to include in this journal:  Name:  Address:  Date of birth:  Social security number:  Telephone numbers: Parents, children, contact relatives and/

1. List the primary medical problems, surgeries and hospitalizations, in chronological order, with the most recent problem listed first. List the names of any procedures or surgeries with their corresponding dates. Include all the physicians, by specialty, who examine your elderly parents on an intermittent or regular basis, with their addresses, phone number, fax number and most important the name of a contact person in the medical office. This contact person could be a person who works in the physician's office, an office assistant or the physician's medical assistant.

2. A Health Journal should include a list of all medications including prescription, non- prescription vitamins and herbal supplements. Information on medications should include the name of the medication, dosage and frequency, reason you are taking the medication, the date you started taking the medication, the prescribing physician's name and contact information and any special instructions about the medication.

3. Keep extra copies of your parents Durable Power of Health Care in your home as well. If your parent is admitted to the hospital, they will want a copy of the Durable Power of Health Care, which will give the health professionals in the hospital authorization to speak with you about your parent's health problems and treatment plan.

4. Have your parents keep all of their health care information in a bright colored folder and suggest your parents' keep this folder in an easy place for them to remember and in the same place at all times. The top of the refrigerator is a great location to keep this folder. Keep an identical folder [the same color] in your own home that you can refer to when communicating with your parents' or any of their health professionals.

Tips & Warnings

• Gathering all of their health information in a concise and organized manner will save an enormous amount of time, when your parents or you need to respond to numerous health questions from physicians and filling out medical forms or under emergency circumstances.
• If you are unclear about the type and number of over-the-counter medications being taken, contact your parents pharmacist to request a six or twelve month itemized list of medications.

[jocelynd99]

on 11/4/2009 I agree - it does take some time and effort but will be sooo helpful once done. I think every single child should do this for their parents and sooner rather than later so that you can keep on top of it and update as you/they go along.

[ivanawinkler]

on 10/22/2009 Everyone should use Linda's great suggestions. This contributor knows how to write GREAT ARTICLES!!

[cnaguit]

on 10/15/2009 Good tips, the need for these information have come up before and I always regret not having them ready.

[jeaniee6]

on 10/7/2009 This is very good advice. It's an effort to collect all this information, but it will pay off.

[jeaniee6]

on 10/7/2009 This is very good advice. It's an effort to collect all this information, but it will pay off.