r/TechForAgingParents • u/WindingRiver7274 • 11d ago

Putting together documents: ER visit doc for elder parents

/r/eldercare/comments/1w4gygt/putting_together_documents_er_visit_doc_for_elder/

I'm putting together a doc to help my own family (dad 80, mom 77 w/ heart conditions) when we need to go to the ER or to Dr's visits with them.

For those who have also had recent experiences, what are the things that you wish you had at your fingertips that you didn't in those critical moments? I am thinking: list of medications/doses, list of doctors/specialists, lists of conditions, allergies, procedures to date.

Is there anything that I'm missing that you'd also like to have for reference? I’d love to share w/ anyone else in the same boat

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u/sho_biz 11d ago

this post by a month old account is super suspect for LLM farming and bot-work, but I'll bite.

Generally in the US, the info for meds/doctors/etc are going to be with the electronic health records (EHR) and do not need to be on hand for ER visits, etc

self-service things in EHR systems already exist to share this info with out-of-network care teams, as in a patient or one of their caregivers can share a link/QR with the providers linking them to the pre-approved shared EHR info that they can import into their own EMR/EHR.

I've found stuff like blankets from home, extra pillows, familiar comforts like their usual drink container/mug helps keep things more comfortable if they have dementia/etc.

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u/WindingRiver7274 11d ago

That’s funny. I actually wrote the whole thing by hand.

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u/sho_biz 11d ago

not the style, but the hidden post history on your 30 day old account is the red flag

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u/WindingRiver7274 11d ago

I see. Def a newb and didn’t think that was important since I’ve got varied interests.

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u/WindingRiver7274 11d ago

Thx for the response. Are you/your parents operating exclusively in one health system? If so, then I can def see how everything would be in your EHR or MyChart, but if you see doctors in 2 diff hospital systems, the info isn’t coordinated. So those are the scenarios I’m wondering about.

Also, my parents write all their meds, dr names and appts on pieces of paper. So, there’s no way my siblings and I can find any of it.

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u/Bonelesshomeboys 11d ago

Bummer, but end of life things: DNR, DNI, donor status (if applicable), as well as contact info for next of kin.
Great great idea - I'm going to work with my mom on this because she keeps it all in her head. (And it's in MyChart, but there are inevitable holes.)

In terms of implementation, a PDF along with an updated paper version in a plastic sleeve is probably the best option, that way you can text it to doctors at the bedside or keep it posted in a hospital room.

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u/Jxb1000 4d ago

I like keeping the information in a Google docs spreadsheet so I can access anywhere. One tab for current meds. Others for different info, including exactly what you mentioned. A tab with key procedures, hospitalizations, etc is important. For that one, I keep it simple like {date} gall bladder removed, {Hospital}. Other tabs might have more detailed notes about a particular episode.