Caregiver's Idea is One for
the Books
Family affair
by Marsha Kay Seff
ELDERCARE EDITOR
April 23, 2005
An octogenarian mother of
seven, grandma of 38 and great-grand of five unintentionally inspired a book
that could be a lifesaver for caregivers and their older parents.
Janice Mueller, the oldest of
the seven children,says caring for her mom was the impetus for
publishing ReadyLifeline/Personal Medical History. Back in the early '90s, the
Dutiful Daughter from Encinitas was driving 200-mile round-trips at least once a
month to look after her mom and chauffeur her to doctors' appointments.
"One doctor would prescribe
medications and ask my mom what others she was taking. She couldn't remember."
The information was so
difficult to keep up with; even the doctors didn't have the time to thumb back
through all their records, Janice says. So she set up a medical diary that would
make life easier and safer for her mother, who has a heart condition and an
assortment of other medical problems.
On one occasion, Janice says,
the diary saved her mother's life. One day when the paramedics were called,
because her heart was racing, they were able to turn to the book for the medical
information they needed at a glance.
After that incident, the
Dutiful Daughter and mother of five grown children decided to share her idea
with other caregivers. So with the help of her husband, Gary, a business
management consultant, the former chamber of commerce director set up a
publishing company called InCaseOfEmergency.US and started formalizing
her mother's old book.
Among the chapters in
ReadyLifeline are History, Allergies, Medication and Contacts. Then there's my
favorite: Who Am I, with room for a current photo and even fingerprints.
The book includes such
personal information as whether the owner reads Braille, uses hearing aids or
has a pacemaker or implant. There's also room for surgeries; prescriptions and
over-the-counter meds; immunizations; medical tests, including the reason for
each one and the results; and another area for summarizing doctors'
appointments.
Family Affair
Only a caregiver herself could have been so complete, though the author says she
did get advice from a variety of medical personnel.
For the $36 retail cost,
Janice even includes a nylon, zippered travel pouch, with room for eyeglasses,
pill containers and a small first-aid kit (she sells them, too).
The business has become a
family affair with Janice doing the writing and marketing; Gary, operations
executive; son Michael, graphics; paramedic-son Tony, trauma; nurse-daughter
Lisa, medical advice; and daughter Laura, sales and marketing. ARC, a nonprofit
for individuals with developmental disabilities, does the stocking, packaging
and shipping.
The original book has sparked
other emergency diaries, including ReadyAuto, ReadyPlan, ReadyHome and ReadyVet
(for pets). Now, Janice is working on a new journal for medical claims and
records. The books are available at www.icoe.us.
Years after she set up the
original medical-records diary for her mother, Janice says, it remains the
family bible. When her siblings take turns helping, they turn to it for
background on all medical questions.
Janice explains her passion
for her books: "I'd like to leave a lasting impression and do something
important in this life, like keeping people safer. I know these books will save
lives."
See? Even after we grow up
and start looking out for our parents, they can still inspire us to achieve.
Marsha Kay Seff, editor of
www.SanDiegoElderCare.com, hosts an online caregivers radio show, available
round-the-clock on the site. If you would like to suggest a topic or ask
questions, e-mail
marsha.seff@uniontrib.com. And don't forget, you can pick up a 2005 San
Diego Eldercare Directory and Going Home/After-Hospital Planner for Children of
Aging Parents at any Union-Tribune office, local library or senior center.
Copyright 2005
Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
April 23, 2005 ICOE Union Tribune Eldercare Interview
