A Few Tips for Families

This week, I've been thinking a lot about what it means to have an elderly family member admitted to the emergency room, and when I think of hypothetical situations, one question seems to be recurring; "Is there/would there be anything that I could do to help?" 

In the situation that your elderly loved one is admitted to the ER, of course the “ideal” situation would be that you could be there with them to assist in their admission assessment and provide emotional support. In the even that you couldn’t physically be there, I found this video on youtube that gives some extremely useful tips that you as a family member can do to help promote a better outcome for your elderly loved one, especially if they are experiencing an alteration in mental status.
          Here are the tips from www.emergencycareforyou.org, the website named in the video, on how you, and your elderly loved one can be more prepared for emergency room visits:

Tip 1: Medical History Form: You and your parent's physicians can complete the Medical History Form, which lists the medications your parent is taking, allergies as well as past and current medical conditions. Bring this form to the emergency department with your parent and give to the emergency physician. Also keep track and make sure your parent is taking medications correctly.

Tip 2: Bring Reading Materials: Make sure you have a book, magazine, or a newspaper to read while you are waiting for results or to see a physician. It will make the time pass more quickly and help keep your stress level lower.

Tip 3: Anticipate Admission: Bring a change of clothes and some personal items in case your parent is admitted to the hospital. You can always leave them in the car.

Tip 4: Know Physician Contacts: Do you know all the names of the doctors your parents see? You should. Take some time now and find out their names, contact information, why your mother or father sees them and how long they have been seeing them. Write it down and hand it to the doctor or nurse in the emergency department. If you are traveling, have copies of the most recent doctor summary and a copy of an EKG if it is abnormal.

Tip 5: Convey Parent's State of Mind: You know your parent better than the doctor. If he or she seems confused, explain to the physician what "normal" behavior is like. If the doctor is talking to you, make sure you are talking to your parent. Do your best to make sure they understand what is going on. The doctors may have to run tests, conduct an examination or be admitted to the hospital. Keep the conversation open with your parent.

Tip 6: Consider Living Wills: A difficult thought, but important nonetheless. It's one to prepare for. If a condition is life-threatening, you need know what the plan will be and what your parents' wishes are. Do your parents have living wills or known care desires if conditions become critical?

Tip 7: Report on Recent Surgeries: Keep track of surgeries, especially ones involving implanted devices such as hip replacements, or pace makers.

Tip 8: Simplify Insurance Information: Have a single sheet of paper with insurance and identification information.

Tip 9: Resist Downplaying: Realize that elderly patients often will talk down their symptoms to doctors or nurses and only tell it like it is to family members. Be ready to fill in the additional information if necessary.

Tip 10: Be Patient: Realize the more the complaints (almost always the older the patient), the longer it takes to work up the problems. Be patient with your physicians and your parent.        

 Questions, comments, and feedback are welcome!