Waiting for a Medical Crisis to Occur is Too Late

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A national survey revealed that many senior parents and their adult children are not having "the talk" when it comes to matters of life and health. Adult children could be in denial that a crisis will happen or they are uncomfortable discussing the inevitable that their parents are not getting any younger. Or, perhaps they are just waiting for someone else to start the conversation.

"We hope that we will not have to confront a medical crisis or emergency with our parents," explains Sandra Yorong, author of Lifetime Medical Organizer. "But do not wait until a health crisis occurs to begin the discussion and gather information. It is best discussed when everyone is calm and rational about life and health decisions."

When her father was dying of cancer, Yorong had to balance her everyday routine and a large amount of information and communication with many people. Her family never dealt with anything like this before and there was a lot to manage.

"During a medical crisis, convenience takes on a whole new meaning," explained Yorong. "We had to balance our jobs and kids activities with hospital visits while constantly having to share updates with hospital staff and family and friends who called or visited. The organizer became our constant communication resource."

Most people have a 'chop suey' approach to managing important information. Legal documents are in a safe deposit box, medicine is in a cabinet or refrigerator, and important contacts may be stored in a computer. Imagine the problems you create for loved ones when they have to collect this information to help emergency or hospital staff. The Lifetime Medical Organizer is a communication tool to help sort through the emotional and intellectual demands with care giving.

"After creating a few organizers for friends with aging parents, I discovered that many do not know how to begin; yet, they admitted that waiting until a crisis occurs is too late," says Yorong.

Getting started today can help families with better peace of mind during a stressful period of uncertainty.

Lifetime Medical Organizer (June 2008, Authorhouse, ISBN 978-1434376848, $21.95) can be ordered at your local bookstore or online at http://www.lifemedorganizer.com. Contact the author at sandi@lifemedorganizer.com.

     Contact: Sandi Yorong
     Telephone: (808) 226-0049
     Email: sandi@lifemedorganizer.com
     http://www.lifemedorganizer.com

SOURCE HH Legacy Productions LLC