Emergencies can happen at any time. Seniors are at high risk due to the large numbers of medications they are taking. Older adults represent just over 13% of the population, but consume 40% of prescription drugs and 35% of all over-the-counter drugs, according to the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP). According to the ASCP, adverse drug reactions are responsible for 28 percent of hospitalizations of the elderly.
What happens when an adult child receives “the call” that an emergency has occurred? Panic sets in if it becomes clear that decisions have to be made about your parents’ care and you haven’t a clue where to find the needed information.
A recent survey was conducted by Home Instead Senior Care of future family caregivers – individuals who plan on caring for their parents within the next 10 years whenever the need arises – to determine their level of knowledge and awareness about their parents. 73% felt they were informed about their parents’ current health situation, however 31% didn’t know how many medications the parents take; 49% could not name any of the medications; 48% said their parents had medication allergies, but were unable to name any of the allergies; 70% didn’t know their parents’ blood type. Only 47% knew their parents’ medical history.
Regarding important documents, 36% didn’t know financial information or where to find it; 35% didn’t know if there are advance medical directives, safe deposit box keys, wills or power of attorney or their location; 46% didn’t know health insurance or long term care information; 40% didn’t know the names of their parents’ physicians, attorney or financial advisor. Two in five future caregivers have never tried to ask their parents for any information.
The result of this survey is the Senior Emergency Kit. Home Instead Senior Care and Humana Points of Caregiving have developed an information management tool to help family caregivers track medications and other information regarding their parents’ health and financial information. The kit contains checklists and worksheets for medications, conditions, allergies, doctors, health advisers and a place to store other vital records. These worksheets can be downloaded from www.caregiverstress.com or www.homeinstead.com. There is even a wallet-size emergency card designed to contain vital information should emergency treatment be needed.
If a senior is looking for a way to make life easier for their adult children or spouse; what better gift than peace of mind. The toolkit should be a guide for any adult to keep their records and information in one place.
