by Kathryn Larlee, J.D., Hotline Attorney

Did you know that August is Medic Alert Awareness Month? MedicAlert Foundation is a nonprofit organization that started 60 years ago with the mission to alert first responders to medical conditions that could affect a person’s treatment.

A medic alert is a simple bracelet or necklace that is worn by a person with certain medical conditions such as severe allergies, asthma, diabetes, dementia, autism, etc.

How does it work? Say, for example, your Uncle Ted has dementia, and decides to take a walk in the middle of the night and then becomes disoriented? The MedicAlert bracelet or necklace can alert a responder that he has dementia, and also provides a number that can be called 24 hours a day, seven days a week. MedicAlert will provide the appropriate information to get Uncle Ted safely home again. Not fancy. A piece of jewelry. Low-tech. A phone call. Medical information quickly provided that saves lives and improves outcomes in emergency situations. Pretty nifty.

Oh, and a bracelet can be the basic MedicAlert ID, or there are some rather snazzy options if you want to make a fashion statement and convey important medical information. For more information visit the MedicAlert website.