Before Thanksgiving · Antes de Acción de Gracias
Ten plain questions, and one page to write the answers on
The holidays are often the one time the whole family is in the same room, at the same table, with time to talk.
Many families find out in an emergency room that nobody knows which medicines Mom or Dad takes, who their doctor is, or where the insurance card is. Fifteen minutes this Thanksgiving can change that.
How to bring it up
- Pick a calm moment, like after the meal or on a walk, not in the middle of the crowd.
- Frame it as being ready to help: “If something ever happens, I want to be able to help you, so can we write a few things down?”
- Write the answers down as you go. A list on paper, or on a phone, is worth more than a memory.
- Ask in the language your parents are most comfortable with. Our printable is in English and Spanish side by side.
The 10 questions
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What medicines do you take, and what is each one for?
Include vitamins and over-the-counter pills. Snap a photo of each bottle label. -
Do you have any allergies, especially to medicines?
Write down what happened, too, like a rash or trouble breathing. -
What health conditions are you being treated for?
Also ask about any hospital stays or surgeries in the past few years. -
Which doctors do you see, and how do we reach them?
Names, clinics and phone numbers, including specialists. -
Which pharmacy do you use?
Location and phone number. -
Where are your insurance cards, and what’s on them?
Take a photo of the front and back of each card. -
Who are your emergency contacts, and who should we call first?
Agree on one person who calls the rest of the family. -
Which hospital do you prefer, and in which language do you want to hear medical information?
You have the right to a free medical interpreter. Learn about that right. -
Do you have an advance directive or a health care proxy, and where is it kept?
Who should doctors call if you can’t speak for yourself? This is general information, not legal advice. -
Where do you keep your health papers?
And what would you want us to know that we haven’t asked?
Write it down before you leave
The free ER-Ready Kit has a one-page Emergency Health Summary in English and Spanish, with space for every answer above. Fill it in together, then keep a copy on the fridge and one in your phone.
Want the whole family’s record in one place?
Family Health Binder: Caregiver Edition $47
For adult children coordinating a parent’s care: the full 52-page bilingual binder plus 9 caregiver pages, including a 31-day medication record and a care handoff sheet for siblings.
Family Health Binder: Fillable + iPad Edition $29
For organizing your own household: the same 52-page bilingual binder to fill on your computer, phone or iPad (GoodNotes or Notability), or to print.
Through Nov 26: add the Daily Check-In Bundle for $5 (normally $9) with any Family Health Binder; one per order, applied in cart.
Designed by a family medicine physician & certified medical interpreter.
Organizer and general education, not medical or legal advice. In an emergency, call 911.