Preparing for the Worst, Hoping for the Best

Calling 911 is something you hope you never have to do – but for many seniors, unexpected medical emergencies like a heart attack or stroke often result in an ambulance trip to the hospital. Instead of simply hoping to avoid this worst-case scenario, the best thing that you can do is to collect the proper information and take the steps to prepare for an emergency.

Collecting Information

The first step to preparing for an emergency is to collect any relevant medical information that first responders might need to be able to treat the patient correctly. This includes:

Current medications
Allergies
Medical conditions or history that could affect treatment
Emergency contacts
Medical power of attorney
Do Not Resuscitate form, if applicable

Keep this list to a page or two and put it in a clearly marked envelope in an accessible location, such as on the fridge and in the glove box of the car. Including a copy in your aging loved one’s wallet or purse is also a good idea.

Arranging Matters

The next step is to talk to the right professionals and coordinate any end-of-life care wishes and legal documents. Among the professionals you should get in touch with are:

Attorneys (Elder Law, Estate Planning, Advocacy)
Trust Officer
Insurance Agent (Life & Long-Term Care)
CPA/Accountant

An Aging Life Care Manager® can connect you with trusted local professionals who can lead you through the necessary preparations. We can also help you pull all the pieces together so that nothing is overlooked while ensuring that the proper information is communicated to the relevant parties.

Preventative Measures

Preparing for an emergency also means removing risks that could cause an emergency in the first place. An Aging Life Care Manager® can give you personalized advice for how best to keep yourself or an aging loved one safe, including:

Recommending medical alert devices (i.e. fall alert, glucose monitor, etc.)
Identifying fall risks in a senior’s home
Reviewing signs to watch for to catch any developing conditions early
Advocating for health concerns to be properly addressed and treated
Providing a professional opinion on whether a senior’s living situation

These steps can help you and your aging loved ones avoid making a 911 call by preemptively addressing factors that could cause a severe medical event.