Create a health notebook
By BETH BENCE REINKE for Smart
As the emergency department manager at Memorial Hospital in York, registered nurse Marcia Feehan is passionate about health care. And not just at work.
At home, Feehan has cared for her children and her aging parents. "Health care is very challenging for that sandwich generation," she said. "You can’t do it without being organized — having a planner or notes."
The beginning of a new year is a great time to get on track.
Schedule routine medical appointments, like yearly physicals and trips to the eye doctor, whether you feel you need them or not, Feehan said. "We need to get into the practice of meeting with our health care providers on a routine basis," she said.
Start a family medical notebook. When her parents were ill, she had their pertinent medical information at her fingertips because of her organized and updated notebook. "When you have someone who becomes ill quickly, it is invaluable," she said.
• Designate a section in the notebook for each family member. (Download pre-made pages here.)
• For each person, write down: name, address, Social Security number, insurance card information, Medicare plan or supplemental insurance plan, family doctor’s name and phone number, pharmacy name and phone number, detailed medical and surgical history, current medication list and any drug allergies.
• Write down questions for the doctor in the notebook so you don’t forget what to ask when you’re at the appointment.
• Take the notebook along to every medical appointment.
• Keep a record for every medical appointment, take notes on medication changes or new treatments.
What to schedule For everyone • Complete physical. • Vision checkup. • Dental visit (plan for two per year).For adults
• Colon cancer screening, if you’re 50 or older.
• Fasting lipid profile (schedule this every five years, beginning at age 20).For women
• Annual pelvic exam and Pap test.
• Mammogram, if you’re 40 or older.For men
• Prostate check, if you’re 50 or older.Sources: American Cancer Society, American Heart Association
Download
• Free health notebook pages on smartmagpa.com
Escaping the cold
If you prefer white sandy beaches to white snowy roads, you had better head someplace tropical. If you’re lucky enough to be going to a warmer climate to escape the York County snow, R. Alan Fox, Chairman & CEO of Vacations To Go, offers these tips for what to pack. (And if you need ideas of where to go, visit the Web site at
www.vacationstogo.com.)
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