September 15, 2005

The newsletter for all elder caregivers. Sent twice a month, and only by request. You are welcome to pass on Elder CareTips™ to anyone you think might be interested. You'll find information about how to get your personal subscription below.

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It's a little different kind of newsletter this time around. The subject is important enough that there's only one item this time. Please read through to the end and take action - it's easy and you'll feel ever-so-much more prepared and secure.

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Two weeks ago thousands and thousands of Americans were forced into shelters with the clothes on their backs and little else. Many of them were elderly. Many of them had health problems requiring medication or treatment. Most of them had no medication or the medical supplies they needed. Most had no way to contact their doctors or clinics, because they were evacuated, too.

Many, in the stress of the moment or because of failing memories, couldn't give strange doctors and nurses vital information about their medical needs. They couldn't remember the names or doses of their medications. They sometimes couldn't remember what, exactly, they were being treated for. Emergency medical personnel in the shelters have done heroic work in untangling most of these puzzles and getting people emergency supplies of what they need.

Evacuees who went to the homes of relatives haven't always had the same access to emergency medical help, and some families have had to jump through incredible hoops to get the right medication and supplies for relatives and friends staying with them.

Before the storm some of these evacuees were organized. They had great records. Some even kept their records on their desktops, ready to print out at a moments notice. Problem is, their paper records are dissolving underwater or blown to who-knows-where by the wind, and so are their computers and the refrigerators where they had the information posted.

We can't depend on anyone but ourselves to have this kind of critical information available in a crisis. There are several web-based operators who say they will store your medical documents so they can be accessed by authorized individuals. Monthly charges start at about $10 a month. This can add up, and I'm not really all that comfortable handing my personal information over to strangers at the other end of a website that may or may not still be in business when I need it. But some people think this is a great way to go. If you think so, just do it and keep it current. And of course let someone know all the passwords and stuff so they can get at the information.

Another way to go is to make your vital information directly available to trusted family members or friends - especially someone who lives in another part of the country and isn't likely to be hit by the same natural disaster that hits you.

When you signed up for Elder CareTips™ you had the option to download a pdf booklet, "What You Absolutely, Positively Need To Know." This booklet was designed to be a paper document you could fill out and give to whomever. This is well & good, but sometimes we just don't get around to updating and re-mailing as things change.

So yesterday I revised it to allow you to fill it out on your screen, save the information to your desktop or print it out, and email copies to as many people as you want with one keystroke. Just type in the information you want someone to know, and leave out the information that you would rather not have them know. Remember, though - if you get hit by a truck someone, somewhere, has to know most, if not all, of this information.

If you're not already a subscriber just sign up to receive Elder CareTips™ on the first and 15th of every month and you'll receive your download instructions immediately.

I suggest that before you send your information off to someone as a pdf attachment you check with them to be sure they are willing to electronically store your information. If they agree, send it off. And try to remember to update it as your information changes.

Do this for yourself, your family - and for me. I know I'll personally feel like a million if I know this has helped someone.

'Till next time,
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© 2005 Molly Shomer, All rights reserved. You are free to use material from Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare Maze™ as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. I would appreciate it if you
would let me know where the material will appear.

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The Eldercare Team
SeniorLink, LLC
P.O. Box 700291
Dallas, Texas 75370
Phone (972) 395-7823 Fax (972) 395-7164
email: info@eldercareteam.com
©1999-2005
Advanced Professional Member
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers