We live in a highly mobile society where family members commonly live hundreds and even thousands of miles apart. When everyone is healthy, regular telephone calls and visits can bridge the distance. When a parent falls ill, the distance itself becomes the dilemma. Across the miles, even such a simple task as ensuring that your parents have transportation to their doctor’s office can become a daunting, time-consuming challenge.
That’s why it pays to put a system in place that can help you provide steady support for your parents and provide a first response in case of emergency.
Here are some steps you can take now:
• Collect all the necessary medical, financial, and legal information. Know the phone numbers of your parents’ physicians and file privacy forms with them so that you can discuss medical matters. Make a note of your parents’ date of birth, social security number, Medicare or Medicaid number, health insurance information, and the dosages of all medications they are taking.
• Investigate engaging a geriatric care manager. These trained professionals can serve as the lynchpin of a care network that links you and your parents to the most appropriate, highly regarded community resources. They can also act as your eyes on the scene, keeping you up-to-date on your parents’ situation.
• Get the lay of the land. On your next visit, introduce yourself to neighbors and friends. Have your parents tell you where they keep essential documents and keys. Bring back a copy of their local telephone book.
If you take these few steps, you will go a long way toward ensuring your parents’ safety and your peace of mind.
Find a Geriatric Care Manager
The National Association of Geriatric Care Managers, a nonprofit, professional organization, can help you find care managers in your parents’ community. Visit their Web site, www.caremanager.org or call 520-881-8008. This service is free and without obligation.
