Knowledge Is Power
@ age 15 you should:
- Know your height, weight, social security number
- Know names of your health issues and medication allergies
- Know names of any medications you take and how to take them
- Know who to call in case of emergency
@ age 16 you should:
- Know if your immunizations are up-to-date and where to get a record of them
- Ask questions about your health at your visits; making a list before you go will help you remember important issues
- Know how to call for advice & how to schedule an appointment
- Find a way to remind yourself to take medications so you don’t miss any doses
@ age 17 you should:
- Know names of your prescriptions & how to fill them
- Know how often you should get a physical and how to get your annual flu shot
- Know your insurance information (company, type)
- Know what a referral is and when you need it
- Ask your parents about family history and any details of your medical history that you might not know such as hospitalizations as a baby
@ age 18 – 22 you should:
Be in charge of your health care:
- Schedule all your own appointments
- Speak to your health care provider on your own
- Fill out information about family history, your past medical history, allergies, and immunizations yourself
- Fill your own prescriptions
- Take all your medications on time
Source: From Boston Children’s Hospital Community of Care Member Information.