When addressing the needs of the underserved, elderly and sick, many in the Jewish community turn to Jewish Family Service, an agency of the Jewish Federation of Reading. Originally established in to serve a growing elderly population, the agency has expanded to serve all age groups and is dedicated to maintaining and strengthening the quality of individual and family life in the Jewish community. Caring for the broader community, Jewish Family Service provides a monthly Food Pantry in the City of Reading and is one of two emergency pantries providing support for the homebound of Reading. JFS is committed to being one of Reading’s premier human services agencies and is a proud to be a United Way of Berks County partner agency.
In the spirit of providing you with a “helpful column”, the staff chose to provide you with “Emergency Tips for Caring for Aging Love Ones.” Most importantly, collect this information in advance.
Doctor Names/Contact Info.
Also make sure your parents notify their doctors that you are authorized to receive information about their medical condition. Without that authorization, doctors will not release information to you.
Birth Dates & Insurance Information.
Medical records and insurance information are often cataloged according to birth date. Knowing your parents’ birth dates may help improve communication in an emergency or crisis. It’s also helpful to know the name and phone number of your parents’ health insurance provider, as well as their policy numbers.
Allergies & Medical Conditions.
Keep a list of known allergies–especially if one of your parents is allergic to a specific medication such as penicillin. It’s also important to note your parents’ medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, as well as past surgeries and major medical procedures such as implantation of a pacemaker.
Medications & Supplements.
Your parents’ use of medications or supplements may play a role in treatment options during an emergency. Blood thinners, for example, could lead to heavy bleeding and certain vitamins or herbal supplements could interact with medications.
Advance Directives.
Advance directives are instructions about future health care, such as whether to use life support machines or attempt resuscitation. Advance directives outline your parents’ wishes should they be unable to make medical decisions for themselves.
Lifestyle Information.
Do your parents drink alcohol or use tobacco? Do they eat balanced diets? Understand your parents’ religious beliefs, too, in case these beliefs could influence treatment decisions.
Privacy Considerations.
You may want to ask your parents to sign a release form allowing doctors and other caregivers, especially those who work at the hospital, to speak with you about their medical care. It’s a good idea to clarify upfront the type and amount of information your parents are comfortable having you receive from health care providers, insurance companies and others involved in your parents’ medical care.
BY STAFF, JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE
