My mom, with dementia, lives with us. My husband and I will be going to our son's house overnight. We are having our usual caregiver spend the night with her. This is our first overnight trip. I have all her medical information along with Medicare card, etc. in a binder. Do I need to have some sort of letter that allows her, should it be necessary, to take her to the hospital and get updates on her care? Of course, if this should happen, we'd come home, but I'm concerned about admittance, etc.
It's a good issue to address for anyone who has home care, as EMS could question someone's authority although determination to take someone to the hospital would I think be first based on the individual's medical condition.
Thank you for raising this issue. I'm adding that to my checklist for contractual issues for a private duty company.
I would also include any copies of legal documents, such as a Living Will or DNR, so the hospital can scan it and put in their files. I assume you also have a list of Mom's medications and when she takes them.
I cannot see any problem especially if 911 is called and caregiver meets them in the ER along with the binder.
My Dad had a caregiver who would go with him to his dentist and doctor appointments, and she had no problems. Dad's had sundowning so his appointments were in the morning, so Dad could usually answer his own questions.
With Mom, I would have her taken by ambulance not by car. This is to protect the Caregiver.