The Importance of Keeping Your Medical Information Organized
Most of us know we should have a healthcare directive, stating our wishes for end-of-life treatment and appointing someone to make health decisions for us if we are unable. We sign the documents, put them somewhere safe, and feel a little better knowing that someone we trust can make medical decisions for us if we cannot.
But there is another part of healthcare planning that is easy to overlook: Can the person you have chosen actually find the information they need when they need it?
A healthcare agent may have the legal authority to make decisions for you, but that does not mean they automatically know your medical history, medications, doctors, diagnoses, or preferences. When a medical crisis happens, your family may suddenly be expected to piece all of that information together while they are worried, overwhelmed, and trying to make important decisions.
A little organization beforehand can make a significant difference.
Ideally, your healthcare agent should be able to quickly locate basic information such as:
- Your primary care physician and specialists
- A current medication and supplement list
- Allergies and significant medical conditions
- Recent surgeries or hospitalizations
- Relevant medical history
- Insurance information
- Preferred pharmacy
- Contact information for important family members
- Copies of your healthcare Power of Attorney and healthcare directive
You don’t necessarily need a binder the size of a medical textbook. The goal is simply to create a reliable place where the important information can be found.
Some of the most useful information isn’t necessarily medical information at all. Do you use hearing aids? Where are they kept? Do you wear glasses? Which pair is your current prescription? Is there a religious, dietary, or personal preference that would be important to know during a hospitalization? Do you have a pet at home that needs to be cared for if you are unexpectedly hospitalized? Who should be called if something happens?
These details may seem insignificant when everything is going well. During a crisis, they can become extremely important.
Further, medical information changes constantly. A medication that was correct six months ago may no longer be correct today. For that reason, organizing your information once isn’t enough. Consider reviewing it whenever you have a significant change in your health, medications, doctors, or insurance. An annual review can also be a good habit, particularly when you are reviewing your estate planning documents.
And don’t forget the legal documents themselves. If you have updated your healthcare agent or changed your wishes, make sure the people who may need those documents know where the current versions are located.
Estate planning is often associated with what happens after death. But some of the most important planning happens while you are still alive. A Power of Attorney can help someone manage your finances. A healthcare directive can communicate your wishes. A healthcare agent can make decisions when you cannot.
But these tools work best when they are supported by good information. The goal isn’t to anticipate every possible medical emergency. The goal is to make an already difficult situation a little easier for the people who may one day have to step in for you.
Take a few minutes today to ask yourself: If I were suddenly hospitalized tomorrow, could the person I trust find everything they need to help me? If the answer is no—or even “I’m not sure”—that’s a good place to start.
