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6 Tips for Preparing for a Health Care Emergency
No one anticipates an emergency and, yet, many of us may face one (or more) during our lives. COVID-19 (coronavirus) is prompting people to think about their values and preferences, wishes for their health care and how to care for loved ones if there is an emergency. Developing a plan will help prepare you and your family for a health care emergency.
Here are six to-dos that can help better prepare you and your loved ones should a health care emergency happen:
- Make an emergency plan for yourself. Visit DaVita.com/COVID for emergency preparation information specifically for dialysis patients.
- Make a care plan for your loved ones (children, parents, pets, etc.). Find a free guide at AARP.org/PrepareToCare.
- Identify someone to help make emergency health care decisions and communicate your wishes.
- Communicate with your health care team. Share your wishes and advance care plan documents.
- Consider concerns your family might have and explore resources to help. Discuss these with them.
- Talk to your family about emergency planning. Share the following with each other: emergency plans and the location of important information/documents:
- Lists:
- Allergies
- Health care providers (and their specialty)
- Current medical equipment and medications (prescription and over the counter)
- Emergency contacts
- Health insurance card
- ID card (driver’s license, passport, etc.)
- Immunization records
- Financial documents (banking information, etc.)
- Legal documents stating your health care wishes (also known as an advance care plan). For more information, talk to your DaVita social worker or visit AARP.org or FiveWishes.org.
- Lists:
Planning for a health care emergency may help ease the stress that comes with a crisis. Take the time now. You and your loved ones may appreciate that you did.
During challenging times, we are here to help. If you are a DaVita dialysis patient, please reach out to your social worker for more tips and additional support. You can find more information about coping with COVID-19 here.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a medical provider.
Please check with a medical professional if you need a diagnosis and/or for treatments as well as information regarding your specific condition. In case of emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency department.
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