Insights from The Orlando Senior Help Desk: Tips for keeping good medical records

One of the most important roles of a caregiver is to coordinate the medical care their loved-one receives. As medical needs grow, we often need to see specialists, have lab work done, go to therapists, and change care facilities. We would like to assume that our loved-one’s complete medical information is automatically moved from one office to another. This rarely occurs. It falls on the caregiver to ensure that the critical information is received and read by the healthcare provider. Having a binder with all of the medical records tabbed can be very helpful. The same can be done on line with folder.

Here are some good practices to help make this happen.

A few days before an appointment, start writing down everything the healthcare provider needs to know. Write a list of medications, diagnoses, the latest lab work, vitals, and any concerns you have.

During the appointment, be sure the provider acknowledges the information you have brought with you. At the end of the appointment, ask the provider or their staff to give you an electronic copy of the visit. This should include any vitals taken during the appointment, the provider’s notes, care instruction, prescriptions, radiology images, test results, and referrals. If the staff needs time to prepare the information, ask how you may access the information remotely.

Keep in mind that it is in the provider’s interest to help you coordinate care. They also benefit from having a focused caregiver.

While most seniors face major adjustments when transitioning to an elder-care community, Jewish seniors face additional challenges. Not only do they lose their homes, and many of their friends, but they also lose ties to their cultural heritage. This is where the Jewish Pavilion, a 501c3 non-profit, steps in. The Pavilion serves as a resource that provides room visits, festive holiday celebrations, and more to 450 Jewish residents in fifty facilities for seniors. The Jewish Pavilion promotes inclusion, and thousands of seniors of all faiths are welcomed into our programs. http://www.JewishPavilion.org

The Orlando Senior Help Desk (407-678-9363) helps thousands of callers navigate their way through the daunting senior maze, alleviating caregiver stress while giving advice on all types of elder issues. http://www.OrlandoSeniorHelpDesk.org