Resources For Patients And Families
Resources for Patients and Families

There are many tools available to help you and your loved ones ensure safe healthcare transitions. Starting a personal health record and self-managing medications are two key strategies to make care transitions safer.

Whatcom County Resources

  • The Northwest Regional Council (NWRC) / Area Agency on Aging
    NWCR helps seniors and their families access a wide range of public and private resources. Their goal is to support the independence, dignity, and health of older adults. Their services are free of charge to adults age 60 and over, and to friends and family members of seniors. Staff are available to meet with you on the telephone at (360) 738-2500, in their office, or, if necessary, in the home. All information is handled in a confidential and private manner.
  • Health Support Center

Personal Health Records

A personal health record is a powerful tool that allows patients to share health information during transitions from one setting to another. It can be especially useful when transferring from one care setting to another.

  • The Shared Care Plan is an electronic health record that was developed in Whatcom County. It is free, safe, secure, and can be accessed from any computer with internet access. There is also a paper version available.


Other examples of personal health records


More information on personal health records


Medication Self-Management Tools

Effective management of one’s medications and having a list of all medications in one place and available to all caregivers and providers is important--especially during transitions of care. Studies show mismanagement of medications can lead to poor outcomes for patients and helping patients manage their medications can prevent the chance of harm.


Medicare Resources
  • Medicare Website for Caregivers
    Medicare provides information for caregivers that can be useful when preparing to help a loved one move from one setting of care to another. The Medicare caregivers website offers helpful information on the basics of navigating Medicare, help with billing, and Medicare care options.
  • Medicare Publication, Planning For Your Discharge
    This checklist includes important information for patients and caregivers who are preparing to leave a hospital, nursing home, or other healthcare setting.
  • Medicare Publication, “Your Medicare Rights and Protections”
    As you move across different settings of care, remember that as a person with Medicare you have certain guaranteed rights and protections that protect you. This government booklet provides information on your rights and protections under Medicare, including appeal rights and where you can get help with your questions.
  • Medicare Compare
    Medicare collects information about quality of care and services given by Medicare healthcare providers in Whatcom County and across the nation. Medicare’s “Compare” tools on www.medicare.gov give you a snapshot of the quality of care and services at these providers. Along with the information you receive from your physician, this information can help you identify questions to ask and help make care decisions.

General Health Information For Patients
  • National Institutes of Health - the Nation's Medical Research Agency
    The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research. Helping to lead the way toward important medical discoveries that improve people's health and save lives, NIH scientists investigate ways to prevent disease as well as the causes, treatments, and even cures for common and rare diseases. Composed of 27 Institutes and Centers, the NIH provides leadership and financial support to researchers in every state and throughout the world.
  • Health information from the National Library of Medicine
    MedlinePlus will direct you to information to help answer health questions. MedlinePlus brings together authoritative information from NLM, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations. Pre-formulated MEDLINE searches are included in MedlinePlus and give easy access to medical journal articles. MedlinePlus also has extensive information about drugs, an illustrated medical encyclopedia, interactive patient tutorials, and latest health news.

Specific Conditions
  • Learn about Heart Failure, including a definition of the condition, risk factors and prevention, symptoms and diagnosis, treatment and research, and answers to frequently asked questions.
  • Learn about Heart Attack, including a definition, causes, who is at risk, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and life after heart attack.
  • Learn about Pneumonia, including cause, transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, complications, and research.
  • Learn about adult immunization recommendations.
  • Easy-to-read publications about Diabetes: living with diabetes, and preventing diabetes problems.
  • Publications and resources on nutrition, physical activity, and weight control.


Other Resources

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