Hospitalization Checklist for Older Adults

As our loved ones age and face health challenges that may require medical intervention and treatment, it’s important to be prepared in the event of hospitalization. Whether you’re an older adult living near relatives or far from long-distance caregivers, no one wants to scramble to find documents and belongings that should go along with you to the hospital or emergency room.

Here’s a handy list of what you should prepare in advance to bring with you when you’re admitted to the hospital.

A health care proxy, living will, and other advance medical directives. If you don’t have these documents in place, our advice is to get them drawn up without further delay. An experienced elder law attorney like Adam Tobin can help you create essential records such as a health care proxy. Find out why you need one in our recent blog post.

A document with your name, address, phone number, and date of birth. Use your computer to create a document with this basic information. Make several copies and post one on the refrigerator. It’s a good idea to include medical history information such as drug allergies and contact information for your primary care physician.

A list of current medications. Your PCP can provide you with a list of your current medications. Make a copy of this list for your go-to-hospital kit.

A list of close relatives and friends with names, addresses, and phone numbers. This list should identify next-of-kin relationships (daughter, son, and so on). Be sure to use the latest addresses and phone numbers. It’s also helpful to add email addresses. If you have a choice between a landline phone number and a mobile phone number, include both and identify which is which. Be sure to revisit this list from time to time to make sure it’s up to date.

Your Medicare card or MassHealth insurance cards. Make a copy of your Medicare or MassHealth insurance cards to add to your go-to-hospital kit. Never provide the original cards.

Any supplemental insurance cards. While you’re at it, make a copy of any supplemental insurance cards.

Your cell phone, laptop, tablet and associated chargers. You’ll want to stay connected while in the hospital. Add a power strip to this item. Hospital rooms have a limited number of electrical outlets that are usually needed for medical equipment.

Eyeglasses and hearing aids. Be sure to add eyeglasses and hearing aids to your hospitalization kit.

Items to leave behind. It’s a good idea to add to this checklist items to leave at home. You’ll want to include such items as rings and other jewelry.