Widows & Widowers Support Group

This community is dedicated to those who have lost a husband, wife, or partner. Anything is open for discussion here, with the hope that we can focus on grief, bereavement, life after loss, and continuing on after a great loss.

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Medical Information

Truhal
Truhal
I was just thinking about this when CrB1 asked about emergency contacts. It's just something I do since losing my husband.

Years ago when my mother was very sick I started giving her an information sheet to carry in her purse. It contained her contact information, medical history, and medications she was on. It came in handy. One day when I and my father were at work she got very sick. She managed to diall 911 and get the door open, but that was all. When the ER people got there she was only able to tell them about the info sheet she carried in her purse. They read it and knew how to administer care. More than 15 years later I've created the same sheet for myself. I have everything on it from contact information,medications, doctors name to the fact that I have a bird that needs feeding.

Just thought I'd pass this alone to those who are living by themselves.
yellowrose3
yellowrose3
Hi Truhal, I do the same for my Dad. He lives with me, but when John and he both were here and had medical conditions, I have visiting nurses that come in for my dad. I would have tons of appt for John and worried if I wasn't around and something happened with my dad he wouldn't know what to tell anyone. I made a list with phone numbers, physicians, and medicatons. He still carries it in his wallet. Hugs to you: Donna
Dreamer40
Dreamer40
Thank you, Truhal, for this suggestion. Even though I have a son who lives next door and a daughter who calls me from 100 miles away every night, one never knows what might happen. It IS a lot different when you are suddenly living alone and trying to carry on with all the "stuff" that needs doing around a house.

I'm gonna start working on a comprehensive list for myself...maybe even one to carry on my person all the time and one to have in a very visible part of the house (like the phone stand). Thanks again...good idea!Marilyn
inmemoryofhattie
inmemoryofhattie
My town has a program called Lifeline...my husband was on it as one of the many times 911 came here, one of the paramedics was a former student of his.....and she told me about it......There is a card that slips into a plastic envelope and has all that info, docs, diagnoses, meds, religion, contacts...it has a magnet that holds it onto the fridg...and there is a little sign that says Lifeline that goes on the door....so once they enter, they check the frid for the card......once on this program one is also liked to the police station, so that if 911 was dialed from this house # my husband was 'in the system' and they knew they had to send paramedics to set a line.....

carried a second one in my purse......

big help.....


also had to have a complicated book on my husband in case I ever got sick....did once...nightmare.....