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.