Question

Health care workers.  thank you for all you are doing and sacrificing to keep us safe.Health care workers. thank you for all you are doing and sacrificing to keep us safe. ❤️ Question. Thinking about my dad who is 70, and lives alone. If he were to go into the hospital with suspected covid19, how would the staff know who to contact (me and/or my sister). Should he write down our info on a piece of paper in advance to show them or how does this all work now that family can’t visit? Should he bring his phone/iPad to stay in contact with us? I pray he won’t get a bad case and he is being safe, just thinking ahead since he’s on his own and over an hour away.  

Answer 1

He should get a power of attorney for healthcare filled out! I would also recommend for him to definitely bring his phone if he goes the hospital to give you update! Also make sure he has a list of medications that he can bring.  

Comments

@tremann give family a copy so the can fax over if needed

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I think you guys are missing the point. She’s asking if he is incapacitated and cannot give information how anyone even know to contact her.  

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@tremann no I’m not - give a copy of power of attorney to family and they can fax a copy to the hospital - have a copy on the counter if there is an ambulance that needs to pick up -

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@loathing on the counter! Perfect.  

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@nominal95 Thst is always the goal!  

Answer 2

They will ask him and also who is listed in his hospital records who to call. Thank you I’m a nurse.  

Comments

@middendorf88584 this. Also, he should definitely bring his phone, iPad and chargers to communicate with you guys.  

Answer 3

Great question!  

Answer 4

Power of attorney paperwork or any advance directives, list of home medications, ipad or phone would help so he can always see and talk to you, a pair of slippers because I don't trust hospital floors. If he doesn't have a POA they will ask for a #1 spokesperson or a surrogate in case he is unable to decide for himself once admitted. Also, I hope it doesn't scare people but it's good to have or at least talk about a living will / POLST form so we know what our loved one's wishes are.  

Comments

@cabbageworm84 Agree! The advance directive is so important. *POLST is a physician order for life sustaining treatment and is usually reserved for those at end-of-life and requires physician signature.  

Answer 5

Because we are in such a state of unknown, I told my mom who is 63 (lives in Pennsylvania alone) to write everything down and make sure everything (list of her medications, family phone numbers, work phone numbers, primary doctors phone numbers) the code to her cell phone b/c if it locks the staff won't be able to use her phone. I told her to put in a folder that she will take with her to the hospital should she need to go. She doesn't have a will in place so I told her to make a video. I also told her to email ALL of this to my brother (and she is separately sending us all of her accounts and policies for whatever in case we need to handle any affairs for her). I hate that we have to think like this but this is ALL of our realities now. My husband and I have also done the same thing. We wrote letters to our son just in case something happens to one of us. I hate this.  

Answer 6

POA, list of meds, any pertinent information and leave it on the fridge. Leave a note on the main door of his house that it is located there Incase he can’t grab it or tell someone to grab it. Tell him when he calls 911 (hopefully he won’t have to) to tell the dispatcher where the information is located. If he takes himself to the hospital, tell him to grab his paperwork, charger and phone.  

Answer 7

My mom is that age. She has always kept a list of medical conditions, current medications, and emergency contacts in her wallet. She use to make us kids carry one too. I use to think it was overkill but now see the benefit in this. She also keeps a go bag prepped (kind of like what you do when preggo) due to some other medical conditions. It has extra underwear, pajamas, toiletries, etc in it in case she’s unexpectedly admitted. With this it will be useful too. She’ll throw her phone and charge cable in there and take it with should she feels she needs to be seen/tested just in case she gets sent to the hospital. She’s also looking into writing some advanced directives and including a copy on her wallet or bag.  

Answer 8

My parents have done this for the past 35 years as they have had multiple health issues and lived away from any of ills kids. My mom kept it on her computer. She listed name date of birth emergency contact information health history and all current medication. The medication listed medication name, and all disease information. She had one for each of them then emailed it each of us four kids. She kept it updated as their health history changed. When I moved them in with us 3 years ago we were told by all here new doctors it was the most helpful. Each time we called the ambulance they said the same thing.  

Answer 9

If his hospital/ doctor has My Chart he should definitely be signed up for it. Yes, bring his phone and yes a paper with contact names and a medication list. Don’t even worry about resuscitative directives right now.  

Answer 10

If he is suspected covid they will put him in the covid unit 4 th floor at Edwards just an FYI. Something to think about

Comments

@veriee2681 he’s not. Just being prepared. He’s too far away to go to Edwards.  

Answer 11

If possible, prepare with an advance directive. Print it and have it ready Important to share and discuss goals of care before an emergency happens, if possible!  

Answer 12

Nurse at Edward - yes he can have a phone and charger. You as family are allowed to drop off personal belongings for him at the lobby and it will get delivered to him in case he comes with only the clothes on his back. Advise him to have a paper folded in his wallet with current medications(dosages and times), allergies, And emergency contacts. If he comes in an emergency and has a wallet, we can have the information we need to start his care ASAP. If he has any DNR paperwork or POA paperwork, you should have a copy so you could drop that off as well and we would scan it into our system to have for any future visits.  

Comments

@sabulous thank you!  

Answer 13

Might be good to get him an alert me band! I have my son with autism wear one and it has our phone #’s on them, and you can have a message put on the side as well, they fit all sizes and usually take about 2 weeks to get: www. alertmebands. com

Answer 14

Most dr office medical records connect with the hospital records, so his emergency contact should be listed there. If he has an iPhone, you can set up the medical ID so EMS can easily look up medical history, medicines, and emergency contact in case he needs to call 911 or he’s found with an altered mental status. Also—turning on find my friends on his iPhone and sharing his location can be helpful.  

Comments

I also agree with everyone else that getting a hcpoa drawn up is a good idea. State of IL surrogate act will take effect if none in place and he is deemed non-decisional

Answer 15

When I worked in home health, I always encouraged patients to keep a copy of emergency contact info/ meds on a card in their wallets along with a DNR/poa info if they have that . the other option is to also put it all in a ziplock baggie and magnet it to the fridge . if paramedics have to come they can be instructed to that bag and just grab it

Answer 16

Very good question - helps to be proactive!