Research has found that three out of four people with Parkinson’s do not receive medications on time when staying in the hospital, and that when this occurs two out of three will experience unnecessary complications.
With more frequent hospital visits and a high sensitivity to the timing and dosing of PD medications, people with Parkinson’s face great risks in the hospital.
At the Parkinson’s Foundation, it is our mission to help people with Parkinson’s disease live better lives, and that includes staying safe while in the hospital. We want to help people affected by PD to be “Aware in Care,” which means they:
- Understand the risks associated with hospital stays.
- Have tools to play an active role in their care.
- Are prepared for a hospital visit, whether planned or unplanned.
- Have a plan to get the best possible care in the hospital.
There are three easy ways to get these life-saving resources:
Option 1: Download the free printable resources here.
Note, this does not include the kit bag, bracelet, or magnet. We recommend that you designate a bag to keep this information along with your medication in its original bottles for use in the hospital
Option 2: Order the free Aware in Care Packet here.
Note, this only includes the Wallet Card, Nurse Fact Sheet Tear Off Pad, and the Medication Form. It does not include bulkier items including the Hospital Action Plan, kit bag, bracelet, or magnet, or the specialty resources including the Duopa & Deep Brain Stimulation Info Cards. We recommend that you designate a bag to keep this information along with your medication in its original bottles for use in the hospital
Option 3: Order the full Aware in Care Kit, free with an $8 shipping charge here.
Comes in a zippered pouch used to keep this information and their medication in its original bottles for use in the hospital
Includes:
- Medical Alert wallet card
- 1 Nurse Fact Sheet tear off pad
- 10 Sheets of the Medication Form
- Hospital Action Plan
- ID bracelet
- Duopa Info Card
- Deep Brain Stimulation Info Card
Interested in having an Ambassador speak to your group?
The Parkinson’s Foundation Aware in Care Ambassadors are a trained group of people with PD, clinicians, health professionals, care partners and loved ones of those with PD. Ambassadors are well equipped to talk to clinicians, aging professionals, support groups and many others about the kit and hospitalization safety for people with PD. If you are interested in inviting an Ambassador to speak to your group (in person or virtually), please contact Courtney Malburg at CMalburg@Parkinson.org for more information.
For more insights on this topic, listen to our podcast episode “Advocating for a Safe Hospitalization,” “Pharmacy Challenges with PD," “Practicing Hospital Safety,” “An Aware in Care Success Story” and “Best Practices & Guidance: Navigating Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Facilities.”
