Tips To Prepare Elders For The E by Ethel Mitty, EdD, RN and Mathy Mezey, EdD, RN, FAAN (NAPSA)—Compared to younger age groups, older persons are more likely to arrive at the emergency room by ambulance, receive a more extensive workup, stay longer in the Emergency Room (ER), be admitted to the hospital or have repeat ERvisits. An older person receiving emergency medical services is often too sick, frightened and/or confused to be a reliable information giver about his or her own health status and medical care. To avoid mis- or delayed diagnosis and treatment because of scanty or unreliable information, geriatric specialists recommend that older adults write down important information and leave it in prominent places where family or emergency medical personnel would see it. Here is the type of important written information to have: At the top of the page, write “Vital Information” or “Medical History” of (your name). Put down your full name and preferred name or nickname, next of kin, designated decision maker, and Health Care Agent, with their contact information and address. Then include: * Medicare/Medicaid/Insurer’s identification number and phone number * Physician(s): list all, inecluding specialists; include phone numbers * Advance Directives: Living Will, Durable PowerofAttorney for Health Care (Health Care Proxy), Do Not Resuscitate Order. Even if you do not have an advance directive, write down your treatment wishes and preference, especially about care at the endoflife. * Medications: name and dosage, including eyedrops andall WRITE IT DOWN—An older person receiving emergency medical services is often too sick or confused to give reliable information. over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. * Pharmacies and phone numbers * Allergies: food, medications, contact allergies such as skin rashes, itching and sensitivities * Normal physical functions (dressing, personal hygiene, toileting, eating, walking, transferring, bathing) and whether the person needs assistance * Dentures (type); hearing aid; eyeglasses * Nutritional status, including special diet * Medical/surgical history * Pacemakers, other implants. Keep this information (and Advance Directives) in a seethrough plastic folder next to routine medications and/or hang on the inside of the house or apartment door. Make several copies of this information and place it wherever those who will accompany the older person to the ER mayfind it; perhaps on a bedroom dresser, in a purse or wallet. Ethel Mitty and Mathy Mezey are at the John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing at the Division of Nursing, The Steinhardt School of Education, New York University.
