Senior Emergency Kit

Would it surprise you to learn that less than one-half of future caregivers say that they are not knowledgeable about their parents' medical histories in case of emergency? Even though a majority of future caregivers say their parents are healthier than other people their age, nearly two-thirds of the parents have two or more medical or health conditions, and nearly one-half takes at least three medications. A significant number of future caregivers say they have not tried to ask their parents for information related to their parents' health histories or their parents' plans for the future.
Family caregivers understand the apprehension that often accompanies worrying about what might happen to an older adult. Anticipating a midnight phone call that a senior has suffered a medical crisis or an emergency can be unsettling for any adult child. Medications are often the source of these problems. Seniors represent just over 13 percent of the population, but consume 40 percent of prescription drugs and 35 percent of all over -the-counter drugs, according to the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP).
Home Instead Senior Care network worked with Humana Points of Caregiving to create the Caring for Your Parents: Senior Emergency Kit, an information management tool and website. This toolkit and other resources are part of the Answering the Call program to help you be prepared for theses situations.
The Home Instead Senior Care network's Senior Emergency Kit can help ensure that family caregivers like you have fast and easy access to important information about loved ones in case of an emergency call. This resource was developed with the assistance of Humana Points of Caregiving. It is designed to help family caregivers gather details about a seniors' doctors, pharmacy and insurance company, medications and dosages, as well as allergies, power of attorney, and other important information.
This toolkit will provide you with all the important information you need in a centrally located file so you are ready for a crisis, day or night. For more information, go to http://www.senioremergencykit.com/ or call you local Home Instead Senior Care office at (707) 252-3322.