Encouraging your senior friend or family member to wear a medical ID can save their life, especially in the event of an emergency. As people age, many will develop more medical conditions that require treatment with prescription medications.
Here’s a quick rundown on the benefits of a medical ID, how to help the senior in your life pick out the right ID, and what information should be included on their ID.
Benefits of a Medical ID
A medical ID offers valuable information to first responders in the event of an emergency and can help them to identify the cause of the emergency. The more quickly the cause is identified, the more quickly treatment can be initiated.
Some medical emergencies can cause the senior to become confused, disoriented, or lose consciousness altogether. Especially in these cases, having a medical ID that tells first responders about their relevant medical history and identifies their emergency contact can literally save their life. See a list of Medical Conditions requiring a Medical ID.
What’s Their Style?
The senior in your life will have their own unique style. Look at the jewelry and watches that they wear and ask them about their jewelry preferences.
- Are they active?
- Do they garden, work with tools, or go to the gym?
- Do they enjoy going to the opera, plays, museums, symphony performances, or other artistic events?
- Or are they more sedentary and prefer to stay home?
If they are active, they may need a sturdy and water-resistant band. A lifestyle with more formal events will call for a fancier medical ID. Someone who leads a simple life may want a band to match.
What Should I include on Their ID?
Information to include on their medical ID includes health history, allergies, prescription medications, implantable devices such as pacemakers, joint replacements or other surgical hardware, and emergency contact information.
You can gather this information from them or, if they are unsure and you are their healthcare durable power of attorney, from their primary care provider’s office.
Look at the options available for men and women on the American Medical ID website to get a feel for what the different options are. If you aren’t sure where to start, you can reach out to the friendly customer service staff via text or phone.
