January - March 2019

At the Serving Our Seniors forum, “Will Your Doctor Come to See You in the Hospital?” health care professionals discussed the kinds of information they need to know to render appropriate patient care in an emergency. We learned that older adults needed a convenient way to have essential health information with them, at all times, should they ever be hospitalized. Serving Our Seniors designed a wallet-sized, medical card that an individual can fill out and update as needed. A surprising amount of information can be stored on the small card. Up to 19 medications may be listed, along with the dosage, reason for the medication and known allergies. You may list your own contact information, as well as Contact Info for your doctor, pharmacy, emergency contact, Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will designation. To receive the free medical card, please make an appointment with Serving Our Seniors Healthcare Advocate Trainer Tina Elmlinger (419-624-1856). She will help you fill out your medical card and explain how this information is used, should you be unable to speak for yourself when hospitalized. Do You Carry A Personal Medical Card? Elmer and Diane Bartell took the Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP) course last year with Healthcare Advocate Trainer Tina Elmlinger. DEEP is a series of six classes for Erie County residents who are age 60 +, pre-diabetic or diabetic. A spouse or caregiver may attend with that person or in place of that person. The spouse or caregiver does not have to be diabetic. Diane’s late mother had diabetes and Elmer is diabetic. She reports that she had been to numerous appointments and classes to understand diabetes but found it a complicated disease. She says “Tina is an excellent instructor. She makes the class fun, interesting and conversational. One of the surprising facts I learned was that diabetes can cause neuropathy to your internal organs -- not just to your feet and hands.” The class offers a non-judgmental learning environment that empowers clients with useful information. Tina’s sense of humor keeps clients listening and laughing while they learn. Clients learn how various foods and lack of exercise are responsible for uncontrolled diabetes and unsuccessful aging. Using the “My Plate” method of eating right is explained, and ways to manage blood sugar through exercise. Please see the dates and locations for upcoming DEEP classes on the Calendar of Events, page 4 . Advanced registration is required. Diabetes Empowerment Education Program Laugh While You Learn Tina Emlinger and Kiu Sanders fill out medical card www.servingourseniors.org 21 Find us on