Years ago when I was a kid, the doctor would come to my house to check me out. As I sat there praying he wouldn’t give me a shot, he’d prescribe something out of his black bag and tell Mom I should be fine in a few days. Mumps, measles, chicken pox – everything that could “fix me” could be found in that black bag.

Mom took care of me then and now it’s my turn to take care of her. Where is that black bag now when I need it? Thank goodness Mom has a fantastic primary doctor that cares enough about her to communicate with us about her medications.

These days there are specialists for everything. Your primary doctor sends you to the heart doctor, who sends you to a vein specialist, who sends you to … well, it goes on and on. Granted, it’s comforting that a doctor can be so well versed in everything that can happen to your veins.

The problem is that each doctor needs to communicate with each other doctor so that the multiple medications they prescribe mix well together. It can be a real juggling act. If you don’t have a terrific pharmacist like my Mom’s, it can be downright scary. It’s imperative that anyone taking care of a senior be aware of all medications and how they mix together – not only with other prescriptions, but with vitamins and over-the-counter remedies such as allergy pills and aspirin.

Although I’m not a doctor or a pharmacist, everything I write about is run past Robert Fox at Walgreens, or my mom’s doctor, Derek Johnson. It’s important to keep your primary physician in the drug loop and have a pharmacist that knows you and cares about what you or your loved ones are taking. There are just too many pitfalls.

Another tool I recently discovered is the MedID card offered by MedID Technologies Inc. It’s an electronic USB card that you can pop into your computer. You enter your medical and emergency information on the card and carry the card in your wallet. It’s a technological marvel – and easy to use. Even I can use it, and my computer and I are not the best of friends. It’s also inexpensive.

For more information on this treasure, feel free to call me at 925-922-0314 and I’ll let you know how to get one. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!

Marla Luckhardt is a Discovery Bay resident and member of the East Contra Costa Senior Coalition. She works with several local senior care and advocacy groups. To contact her, e-mail marla2054@aol.com.