SENIOR MOMENT: Medical preparedness begins at home

By BETTY MUNSEY/Columnist

Most expectant mothers keep a bag packed ready to grab and go when the first contractions occur. The bag contents vary but probably include a beautiful yet comfortable gown, lists of names and phone numbers to call after the baby’s arrival, and a going-home outfit for the newborn. Some mothers may include a good luck token, a picture of the newborn’s older siblings, and maybe even a video camera for all the obvious reasons.
My grandmother kept a small leather suitcase packed with several gowns, a bed jacket, and other necessities stored under her bed in the event that she needed to rush to the hospital. Regretfully her bag was used on several occasions as her health failed.
Some of us stow an emergency kit in the back or trunk of our vehicles with jumper cables, a wool blanket, flares, a pressurized tire inflator, and a tool kit in the event of a travel emergency. Many rural home owners keep candles, bottled water, matches, the power company repair service number and a flashlight together in one convenient location in the event of a power interruption.
As much as we want to follow the Boys Scout’s motto to “Always be Prepared,” one of the areas in which we’re often least organized is having a mobile packet of our medical records that can be used in an emergency. This packet should be prepared ahead of the need (as soon as possible) and could provide lifesaving information to medical personnel or relatives.
A recent copy of the Mayo Clinic Newsletter recommends preparing a central medical folder and keeping it where it can be grabbed quickly when needed. The folder should include our doctor’s names and contact information. Hopefully our doctors or health professionals will have copies of our medical history available and can provide information about major medical problems such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer prior surgeries and other major medical procedures.
We’re all advised to have an advance medical directive stating our decision about end-of-life issues including resuscitation efforts and the use of life-support machines. A copy of this directive should be included in our personal medical folders along with such personal information as birth date, list of allergies, current list of medications and supplements, religious preference, and insurance and/or Medicare information (provider and policy number).
Preparing one of these emergency medical files provides a sense of security in case we aren’t able to give this information. Trusted loved ones should be notified of the file’s location and authorized to share the information with medical personnel in the event that we’re unconscious or unable to speak for ourselves. Senior travelers are encouraged to carry a copy of the file in their luggage. It never hurts to be prepared for the unexpected.
A retired Extension agent, Betty Munsey lives and farms in Bland County.