WELLNESS
With the Future in Mind
Joyce Loucks Chair , Wellness Committee , ARTA
When it comes to physical wellness as we age , there are two important items that I believe everyone should be mindful of .
First , everyone should have an advance care plan ( in Alberta this is also referred to as a Green Sleeve ) and keep it in an easily accessible place where anyone can access it . Secondly , everyone should create a document about their personal health . It should include information about family history , physician contacts , emergency contacts , medical history , allergies — really anything that someone might need to know about your medical needs in an emergency . I keep mine in a binder and make sure it is close by whenever I leave the house for more than a walk . If I ’ m shopping , it is in the vehicle and whoever is with me knows where to look for it .
Green Sleeve
A Green Sleeve is a small holding case that contains important documents related to advance care planning . In an emergency , medical professionals know to ask for it and can use it to understand your health-care wishes .
Most hospitals or other health-care providers can give you one , but know that it should contain up-to-date information . It ’ s not a document that you can forget about , or it stops being useful .
Generally , the Green Sleeve holds a copy of your personal directive , outlining health-care decisions should you be unable to communicate them yourself . It should also contain the name of someone you trust to make any unforeseen decisions on your behalf .
You should store your Green Sleeve at home on or near the fridge , which is where first responders are trained to look for it in an emergency . You can also give copies to trusted individuals who may need to access it .
More information can be found at advancecareplanning . ca .
Personal Health Document
Green Sleeves don ’ t cover everything . If you haven ’ t lived your whole life in Alberta , many of your medical records may be missing . To fill in the gaps , I use a Personal Health Document . You can buy purpose-built books for this , but a binder with printed sheets works just as well . As long as you , and other people , can understand the information within , it ’ s doing its job .
You can bring this document with you to appointments to help you remember all your medical details or just have it on hand in case of an emergency . The information it will contain will be personal to each person , but here are some ideas to help you get started .
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