Get Your Medical Information organized

October is the Month Organize your medical information, month to get all your medical information and related documents in a single, easy to find location.

Why is this important? Imagine this scenario: There was an accident and you are unconscious and on the way to the hospital. You can not provide the medical team with information about your condition, medications you take or doctors who provide your care. And the family member, spouse, brother, parent, or child who has to rush to your side is so distraught that he or she can not remember the answers to these questions of crucial importance.

Sometimes-more often we can achieve. And when it happens to us or someone we love, we realize the importance of having all these details updated and accessible in an emergency.

Like the slogan LIFE Foundation said, life goes on, and that no one can avoid these types of events, these practical tips, techniques and strategies can make a difficult situation a little less stressful.

This October, make it a priority to get medical information organized for each family member. It will definitely be worth if and when life happens!

Think ICE. No, we do not want frozen water, but ICE as in "In Case of Emergency" - the designation for the people in your life who can answer at least some basic questions about you and your health. If you are unable to speak for yourself, emergency personnel might refer to your phone to find someone who can and having some people listed as your ICE contacts can save time and provide valuable information

How do .: in the list of contacts in your cell phone, identifying members and / or family friends with the key ICE designation before their name: "ICE My Son Joe" or "ICE Mom." also include the name of your doctors- "ICE Dr. Smith, a cardiologist." (for more details, visit this page WebMD.) While you're at it, print the names and ICE numbers and keep them in your wallet, just in case!

Create a health profile. in an ideal world, we would follow our medical records from birth to the end, with each doctor who crosses our path with access to the history of our health. but this is the reality. people change doctors, practices close, records are lost. It is for you to keep this flow of information. This allows your current doctor and emergency personnel with important information that could be relevant to the problem you are having at the moment

How :. Enter the following information and the relevant dates: all surgeries or treatments significantly, conditions or illnesses that you have been diagnosed in the past or currently have, and food or environmental allergies you have. Make a second list that details the diseases or health problems of members of the immediate family were, in case there might be a genetic component. (For more information, see this article LifeOrganizers.com.)

List your "drug regime." In an emergency, it is important that medical staff know what medication or supplements for sale free as you take on a regular basis. This may help prevent drug interactions that could prove dangerous or even life threatening

How :. Enter the following information for each prescription and the medicines on sale free as well as vitamins, minerals or herbal supplements you take on a regular basis: the name (brand and generic, if applicable), the dosage amount and frequency, the name of the doctor who prescribed and why the medication (what state it is). also note if you eat large amounts of a specific food, in the case that may affect your health or results of specific laboratory.

Please fill out legal documents. There are two key documents that relate to your health: a living will and a power of health care attorney. The first covers your wishes regarding medical treatment you want to receive or refuse and under what conditions. The second gives a spouse, family member or trusted friend the right to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to do so. (Go to this page LIFE for details.)

How: You can prepare the documents yourself or a lawyer to prepare for you. This page AARP provides links to forms for each state. Download the form for your state and to complete it. It is a good idea to give the person designated a copy of the documents so they are prepared for emergencies.

Compile your insurance information. Home and auto insurance, life, health insurance and disability, these policies are part of the benefits of membership or are for specific diseases, it is not uncommon to have several policies that offer different benefits or apply single case, which makes it even more important to have a current inventory of them.

How to. Join all your current insurance policies (policy type and number) of the company and contact information of your agents and, if necessary, the beneficiary (s). Store the actual policies in a fireproof box or safe at home, and keep a copy of the policy or at least the page statements and the inventory list offsite (with another family member , your lawyer or executor, for example).

now, you can be easier, knowing that you have all your important information organized.