I stumbled across series of three posts by a geriatrician, Dr. Leslie Kernisan, from the summer of 2013. The three posts in the series are:
1- Journal/notebook for notes and symptoms
drkernisan.net/tools-for-caregivers-how-journals-can-help/
2- Portable and up-to-date medication list
drkernisan.net/tools-for-caregivers-the-portable-up-to-date-medication-list/
3- Organizer to keep copies of medical results and medical records, and Personal/family task organizer.
betterhealthwhileaging.net/tools-for-caregivers-keeping-organizing-medical-information/
In the third post of the series, the author discusses:
* Why caregivers should keep copies of medical results and key health information
* The most useful types of medical info to keep copies of
* How caregivers can maintain a personal health record for an older adult
The final section on maintaining a personal health record was the most valuable. Here’s the author’s “main recommendations regarding keeping and organizing medical information”:
“I do always recommend that patients and caregivers maintain some kind of personal health record (PHR), in which they at a minimum keep copies of test results. It is perfectly ok to just maintain a folder or binder with this information on paper. However, keeping digital copies of the information provides a good backup. If you find an online PHR that makes it easy to enter information, this is a good option too. If as a caregiver, you ever need to take an older person to see a doctor on short notice, having test results and an up-to-date medication list will go a long way towards ensuring that doctors can provide the right medical care.”
As far as an digital record is concerned, the author seems to have a preference for Microsoft HealthVault, healthvault.com.
And a reader commented with a good suggestion about the binder: “Tape a large ‘IF FOUND, PLEASE CONTACT…’ note on the inside of the binder in case it gets lost.”
Robin