What health documents should we carry?

[travelbutterfly]

We are both over 55+ and will be going on Alaska Cruise, in Sept., and my husband asks me if we should carry our "Living Will" or "Advance Directives", with us? I thought at the time, that was a silly question, but then got to wondering.....We will have our "Vial of Life" (which lists all meds, brief medical history, etc), with us, in our Carry-on's. Since I haven't seen any mention of that on some Alaska check lists, wonder what anyone's opinion on this is? Let us know.....

As my husband says, "what if?" something happens, on cruise or on land, etc....and if injuries or illness is very bad, what then?

[cb at sea]

If you want to bring them...go ahead....it's better to be prepared, than not! Or, have them online so they can be accessed easily if needed.

[Langoustine]

Assuming something dreadful happens to only one of you, the other will be able to make medical and end of life decisions for the other without a living will, etc. What you really need is insurance that will cover medical evacuation back to your home state, because it is astonishingly expensive to pay for that on your own.

[travelbutterfly]

All good answers -- thanks!! We do have Insurance for this cruise; made sure that was the FIRST thing we did after booking! Think I will just take copies, of VIP docs., for peace of mind, whether we use them or not.
THANKS, all!

[LHT28]

Never thought of taking a will or things like that
May be a good idea to take a POA or copy so if something does happen to your spouse you can deal with their affairs without hassle
You often hear of 1 spouse having and accident or passing away on vacation so good to have the copy of the documents until you can get the real ones sent (if needed)
Thanks for the suggestion

I take our provincial health cards, other medical cards, trip insurance, list of meds, copies of my medical info, copies of passports, Driver licenses plus copy
copies of bank card & CC go on the USB

I put the info that I can on a USB stick which goes in the safe onboard
I put a copy of our intinerary on the USB also inside & outside the suitcases

I know I have a lot of "STUFF" in my carry-on

Lyn

[Proseknitic]

Originally Posted by LHT28

Never thought of taking a will or things like that
May be a good idea to take a POA or copy so if something does happen to your spouse you can deal with their affairs without hassle
You often hear of 1 spouse having and accident or passing away on vacation so good to have the copy of the documents until you can get the real ones sent (if needed)
Thanks for the suggestion

I take our provincial health cards, other medical cards, trip insurance, list of meds, copies of my medical info, copies of passports, Driver licenses plus copy
copies of bank card & CC go on the USB

I put the info that I can on a USB stick which goes in the safe onboard
I put a copy of our intinerary on the USB also inside & outside the suitcases

I know I have a lot of "STUFF" in my carry-on

Lyn

Have hard copies of the important documents. In a crisis, printing out things is just not going to be possible. With current IT security protocols, there is no way that any hospital is going to allow an outside USB stick.

Simple card in your wallet with major meds and alerts will help, especially if something happens that involves both of you. Since distances are long and there aren't always roads - evacuation insurance is a must (make sure that it covers pre-existing conditions).

It goes without saying to bring your meds. If it is something unusual, bring a letter from your doc. Believe it or not, a person in the parallel tour to ours ran out of insulin in Denali and was stunned to find out that he was hours from a hospital (or doc, or prescription).....

I am a great fan of Murphy and try to avoid starting out the chain of everything going wrong.

[Keith1010]

Good idea to carry a list of meds with you in your wallet/purse for each of you.

Since you are together I don't think it is critical to carry a living will but if this is something you or your husband are worried about you could take it with you.

Keith

[LHT28]

Originally Posted by Proseknitic

Have hard copies of the important documents. In a crisis, printing out things is just not going to be possible. With current IT security protocols, there is no way that any hospital is going to allow an outside USB stick.

Simple card in your wallet with major meds and alerts will help, especially if something happens that involves both of you. Since distances are long and there aren't always roads - evacuation insurance is a must (make sure that it covers pre-existing conditions).

It goes without saying to bring your meds. If it is something unusual, bring a letter from your doc. Believe it or not, a person in the parallel tour to ours ran out of insulin in Denali and was stunned to find out that he was hours from a hospital (or doc, or prescription).....

I am a great fan of Murphy and try to avoid starting out the chain of everything going wrong.

I take my REAL document with me but if your wallet is stolen the USB or online back up can be accessed someplace ...hopefully
Who would run short of insulin
I always take a few days extra meds with me
Plan for the worst case

[iancal]

We do not take any documents that are not required. So, we never bother with any vaccination records when travelling in NA or Europe.

Going to Africa in Nov.-those records will be required in order to travel, board certain airlines.

[Proseknitic]

Originally Posted by iancal

We do not take any documents that are not required. So, we never bother with any vaccination records when travelling in NA or Europe.

Going to Africa in Nov.-those records will be required in order to travel, board certain airlines.

so as long as you don't have to prove either tetanus in case of injury or Measles in case of an outbreak you are fine.

[iancal]

Cannot speak to measles but cannot imagine an issue with tenanus...you can always get another shot. We were at the travel clinic last week..they keep a record of all vacinations etc. and they updated our vacination book. Since they were giving us YF, etc, they decided to top us up with flu, tenanus as well.

We ensure that our Hep A and B shots are always up to date. Never been required by any jurisdicition where we have been but it is a precaution that we feel is imperative given some of places we travel. Some countries vacinate for Hep A/B in schools-ours unfortunately does not.

[sail7seas]

When you prepare your list of meds, be sure to use generic/chemical name for the drugs. Not all countries will have the name brands we may use in U.S. or Canada.

[oofroggie]

I am a solo traveler and carry all my medical information IE most recient lab tests, last EKG, stent information, list of meds both RX and over the counter that I take daily and my daughters POA power for medical decisions, inportant phone #,s etc on a flash drive that I wear around my neck . If something should happen to me are they really going to search my room in hopes of finding some medical information that I may or not have with me. I think not. Also what if something happens while on shore. Evan with security most hospitals have a computer that is not connected to the main computers for this very purpose. I believe it is better to be prepaired for any emergency than not. Since I have major medical issues I also wear a medical alert bracelet with the basic info.