It's a good idea to keep all your family's medical records in one place in your home. A 3-ring binder or wire-bound notebook with dividers for each member of the family is helpful. Each person's section should have a cover sheet listing:

• Diagnosed chronic conditions (arthritis, asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure).
• Any known allergies to drugs, foods, or insects.
• Information that would be vital in an emergency, such as whether the person has a pacemaker or a hearing aid, has diabetes or epilepsy, or has impaired hearing or vision.
• Name and phone number of primary doctor.

You may also want to include:

• An up-to-date list of medications that includes each medication's name, purpose, dose, and instructions, the name of doctor who prescribed it, and the date it was prescribed.
• An immunization record with dates of childhood immunizations, tetanus boosters, flu shots, and pneumococcal vaccine.
• Health screening results for blood pressure, cholesterol, vision, and hearing.
• Results from cancer screenings, such as Pap tests, mammograms, colonoscopy, and PSA (prostate-specific antigen) tests.
• Records of major illnesses and injuries, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and broken bones.
• Records of any major surgical procedures and hospitalizations.
• A list of major diseases in your family, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, or diabetes.
• A copy of advance directives, such as the person's living will and medical power of attorney.