When an emergency happens, the last thing you want to be doing is fumbling through a kitchen junk drawer for a social security number or a list of pills. At Geras Home Care, we’ve seen firsthand how a little bit of legwork today can save a lot of heartache during a 2 a.m. crisis.
If you don’t have a “Go Folder” yet, here is what we recommend putting in it.
1. The Basics (And one thing people forget)
Start with the obvious: name, date of birth, and address. But here’s a pro tip from the field—walk out to the street and look at your house. Can you see the house number clearly? If it’s hidden by a bush or poorly lit, paramedics might lose precious minutes driving past it.
2. The Medical “Cheat Sheet”
Doctors and EMTs need to know what they’re walking into. Keep a running list of:
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Current meds: Include the dosage and why they take it. This is huge for preventing bad drug interactions.
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The Doctors: Not just the primary, but specialists too.
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Health History: Note things like diabetes, dementia, or past heart issues. It helps the ER staff narrow down what’s wrong much faster.
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Hospital Choice: If you have a preferred hospital where all their records are already on file, write that down clearly.
3. Insurance & ID
Make photocopies of everything. Front and back of medical cards, prescription plans, and a photo ID. Also, keep the Social Security number handy—most insurance reps won’t even talk to you without it.
4. The “Hard Conversation” Paperwork
It’s not fun to talk about, but having these documents ready is the only way to make sure your loved one’s wishes are actually followed.
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Healthcare Proxy & POA: Who is the boss if your loved one can’t speak for themselves?
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DNR or POLST: If there is a Do Not Resuscitate order, it must be physically present. If paramedics can’t see it, they are legally required to perform CPR, even if the family says otherwise.
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Final Wishes: A quick note on funeral arrangements or life insurance can save a lot of stress for grieving family members later.
5. Who to Call
List at least three people. Include kids, grandkids, or even a neighbor who has a spare key. If your loved one is active in a church or synagogue, include their clergy’s info too.
Where to put it?
Don’t hide this in a safe or a filing cabinet. We recommend the “Fridge Method.” Put everything in a bright red or neon folder and magnet it right to the refrigerator. It’s the first place paramedics are trained to look.
Make sure the whole family knows the folder is “sacred”—it stays on the fridge and doesn’t get moved. Try to take five minutes every few months to swap out the med list if prescriptions change.
It’s one of those things you hope you’ll never need, but you’ll be so glad it’s there if you do.