Know the Medical factors of Your Aging Parent.

It is amazing the number of times I have gone somewhere with my parents and have been asked by either the new seniors residence administrator, pharmacist, nurse, family doctor, specialist, surgeon, friend or family member for a list of medications and their dosage. I must admit, the first few times I was caught off guard and ill-prepared for the request. Being an adult that takes her multi-vitamin every day did not prepare me for the "10 plus" different types of medications required for multiple ailments. So I have since had the pharmacist produced a list and keep it available for any future requirement. Having Power of Attorney for Personal Care for both parents, it is imperative that I keep these lists close by in case of emergencies.
Knowing medical and surgical history is also of great importance. With my mother's recent breast cancer surgery and the removal of the lymph nodes under her left arm, I am very much aware that even taking her blood pressure or withdrawing blood from the left arm could cause long term damage. Also knowing that she had a minor heart attack prior to her hip surgery makes me fully aware of the pre-surgery requirements for any future operation. If it isn't one thing, it is always something else.
So my humble advice for what it is worth... know and understand the medical factors of your aging parent. It could end up being very important to both of you.