Joanne MacInnis RN, President of Aberdeen, has lots of experience helping families plan for the unexpected.

If I had a nickel for every person over 80 who told me that they “weren’t going to fall,” I would be a billionaire. No one plans to have a medical emergency, a car accident, fall down the stairs, or slip in the bathtub. It’s certainly not on our “to do” list. Yet… it happens every hour of every day.

One of our tools is to prepare as much as possible. There may come a time when Emergency Responders / Ambulance / EMTs are required to evaluate and transport me, you, or your aging loved one to the Emergency Department. The key to efficient treatment is INFORMATION. If you are on your way to the hospital and the responders have no information about your medical condition… you are essentially a “John Doe.”

Do you have an emergency packet?

Sometimes, we cannot avoid that “event” that requires emergency care, but our proactive approach to being prepared can make all the difference.

If you have a complete list of medical diagnoses, medications, allergies, past surgeries, and emergency contacts, your treatment is fast-tracked. The team receiving you at the hospital now knows:

• Who you are
• Who your primary care provider is
• What your medical issues and medications are
• WHO your Health Care Proxy and Emergency Contacts are

Keep it simple.

Where do you start?

• Download, print, and complete our Emergency Medical Information Summary.
• Download and complete a Health Care Proxy form.
• Complete a MOLST form and review all forms with your health care provider.
• Take pictures of the documents and save them on your phone, just in case!
• Place the folded documents inside a large zip lock storage bag.
• Attach to the fridge.