Helpful tips to create a file of patient information

The Caregiver Action Network says, “The single most important thing you can do to function effectively as a caregiver is to create and maintain a comprehensive file of information about the person you are caring for. There is a variety of ways to create and maintain a patient file.”

Here are some suggestions they give for what to include in a patient file:

• Care recipient’s medical history

• Diagnosis

• Physician Contact Information

• Allergies

• Health history (e.g. surgeries, other medical conditions)

• Medication List

• Insurance Information

• Private medical insurance

• Prescription pan

• Medicare/Medicaid

• Long-term care insurance

• Dental and Vision Insurance

• Legal Documents

• Living Will

• Durable power of attorney for Health Care (also known as a Health Care Proxy)

• Power of Attorney for Finances

• Contact information for care recipient’s lawyer

For more tips, read the full article on the Caregiver Action Network website.