Does Your Elder Loved One Have a Central Communication Area at Home?

Having an area in which you can keep all of your elder loved one’s most important information can prepare her and her home for an emergency situation.

Elder Care Lexington NC - Does Your Elder Loved One Have a Central Communication Area at Home?

Elder Care Lexington NC – Does Your Elder Loved One Have a Central Communication Area at Home?

Identify a Spot You Can Use

The first step is to figure out an obvious location for a central communication area that you can use. You want it to be accessible and obvious to a stranger, such as emergency personnel, but it needs to be out of the way of everyday activities, too. Most people select the kitchen because that’s a central area of the house. Put the information on the refrigerator or on a cork board on the wall, whichever is most convenient for you and your elder loved one.

What Should You Include in this Area?

Some people, such as neighbors, may not know your elder loved one’s full legal name, so that’s an important bit of information to include. Emergency contact information, including your loved one’s doctor’s information, medications, and insurance information are all essential in a medical emergency. If there is anything else that might be helpful for someone to have in an emergency, make sure that you include that information as well.

Update this Information Regularly

Many people create an information center with this kind of information, but they neglect to update it. Some of this information, such as your elder loved one’s name, isn’t likely to change any time soon. But other information, such as health conditions and medications, can change regularly. Make it habit to update this information on a quarterly or monthly basis, just to be sure that everything is correct.

Let Everyone Know Where to Find the Information They Might Need

Everyone in your elder loved one’s life needs to know where they can find this information if they should need it. Tell friends, neighbors, and other family members how to access the information. Elder care providers may ask you during their first visit where to find this type of information. If there is an emergency, your loved one’s helpers will have what they need to get her the right help and contact the right people.

Having this information available can be incredibly helpful for your elder loved one if she can’t talk to the people helping her.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care Services in Lexington NC, please contact the caring staff at Tender Hearted Home Care today. (704) 612-4132.