Our Ask An Angel correspondent is Arlene Petersen, Life Care Navigation Specialist in the area of senior home care.
Q. I took my mom to the emergency room and discovered how ill prepared I was. It turned into a stressful experience. Do you have any tips on how to make it an easier process?
A. I am glad you are asking this question because a close friend recently had a similar experience. Her mom was having a health episode and her dad didn’t know what to do. He called her instead of dialing 911. By the time my friend arrived at the house, her mom’s condition had worsened and it left everyone stressed.
My recommendations are simple. When a loved one experiences a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately. Be prepared to answer many questions. I suggest keeping a folder near the phone that has current medical information in it. This would include information about your doctor, a list of your medications and dosages, and the conditions the medications treat (even vitamins or herbs), a list of allergies, and copies of tests you may recently have had done.
I also recommend listing your personal information in the folder as well. Your name, address, and date of birth. It may surprise you how stress can reduce your ability to recall simple things. Once at the ER, you will be asked similar questions, and they may be asked repeatedly. Make sure you are able to describe your symptoms clearly. The attending physician will want to know how long you have experienced your symptoms. Any information you offer will help direct the care prescribed.
An emergency bag filled with basic toiletries and perhaps slippers placed near your front door with this folder can also help you. Grab it as you head out the door or tell a loved one to bring the folder to the ER. You can also put important documents in the bag, like power of attorney forms or your advanced directive forms in it. Put comfort items in the bag as well, such as tissue and hand sanitizer.
It is very important that you take a proactive stance when it comes to receiving treatment whether it is from in your doctor’s office or at the ER. The responsibility to communicate is very important. If you would like a 911 emergency room form to keep handy in your home, please call me at 847-429-0100 and I will personally mail one to you.
• Have a question for our angel correspondent? You can send our angel an email to apetersen@visitingangels.com or send your question via mail to Ask An Angel, 65 Woodbury St., South Elgin, IL 60177.
