Managing the family’s health can be an important part of being a parent—or even just being a good son or daughter to your aging parents. Health records frequently get mixed up and lost in the house, even though keeping track of that information can be absolutely vital for providing good care to your children, your parents, and yourself.

Managing the family’s health comes with a lot of responsibility. You will need to know about the history of each individual’s medical needs and also keep track of upcoming doctor’s appointments and expenses. Here are some tips on how to stay on top of all of your family’s medical information.

1. Consider the Type of Information You Need

There are lots of kinds of medical information you might need on a regular basis or in case of emergency. Consider your situation, and ask yourself what type of information you might want to have available for your family’s medical situations or your own.

If you have children, you will want to consider what type of information you may need when filling out school paperwork or to provide to a new doctor. For elderly parents, you will probably want more detailed information about their medical histories and also their health finance situation.

2. Get Your Paperwork in Order

Having all of your paperwork in order is an important part of managing the family’s health information. You will likely receive lots of information for various trips to the doctor, so be sure to have that information in a place where it is accessible.

Of course, not all of your information will come in the form of paperwork, and there is no reason to keep the information just on paper when organizing your material. Smart phone apps like Family Medical Manager, from Acadian Ambulance Service, allow you to collect all of your family’s information in one convenient place. In compiling information, be sure to ask your parents for important medical documentation so that you can include their info in your files.

3. Make the Most of Visits to the Doctor

Your doctors are some of the most important medical resources you have at your disposal. Each time you go to the doctor, make sure you get as much information as you need.

Doctors can be a good source of information on any type of medical issue, so bring a list of questions you may have regarding your own health or the health of your family members. This helps you stay engaged with your medical situation and helps educate you on any medication you or a family member may be taking. Keep in mind that won’t be spending all that much time with the doctor and you likely won’t be going in very often, so be efficient with the time you do have.

4. Keep Track of Updates

You have already organized you family’s medical information. Now you need to keep track of all relevant updates to your family members’ medical statuses. This includes any trips to the doctor, any medications they are taking, and any expenses related to medical issues that come up. By doing this, you can give yourself a complete picture of your family’s medical situation.

5. Save for Medical Purposes

If you are in charge of your family’s health, that means that you are responsible for providing financial resources in case medical issues arise. For children, this obviously includes saving for doctor’s visits and emergencies. For helping your elderly parents, you may also need to save for in-home care or treatment in a nursing facility. Being financially smart with your family’s medical situation is a key to protecting your family’s health.

Image source by www.hindscc.edu
About the author: Ben Blanchard is the Programming Services Manager for Acadian, the creator of the Family Medical Manager app. The Family Medical Manager app is the definitive medical record app for families and individuals.