I remember when my mother was struggling with health problems toward the end of her life.  She had a half a dozen doctors and a league of other health providers all trying to help manage diabetes and congestive heart failure.  As a result she was on 28 prescription medications and supplements.  Mom understood how important it was to keep track of all these for her health care.  She carried a note paper hand written on both sides listing everything she was taking.  I watched her take it out and show each health provider in turn.  The problem was you’d have thought this little slip of paper was the Dead Sea scrolls.  She didn’t want to let it out of her sight because it was her only copy.  Being hand written in mom’s distinctive cursive, it was also a bit like reading ancient Aramaic.

 

With all the tools and technologies available today, we can do better.  Our aging parents should have a copy of their medications and other key medical information for every health provider they encounter.  This information should be printed clearly and verified.

Geriatric care managers can help collect and track this kind of information, and you can do it yourself, as well.  In the coming weeks I'll explore key components in building a Personal Health Record.  Such a record can make a dramatic difference in the quality of geriatric care.