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WHEN AN EMERGENCY HAPPENS Sometimes, it’s OK to drive someone to the ED (a sick or injured person should never drive themselves). In life-threatening situations or if you are in doubt, call

911, says the emergency physicians’ group. If you do, the emergency medical workers who respond will make the final call on which hospital to go to, Abruzzo and Levine say. But “I would

always make the request” about a preferred ED, Abruzzo says. A good reason — such as having records at one hospital but not another — could be persuasive, Levine says.   If possible, bring

items your loved one might need, such as a cane, walker or wheelchair, reading glasses or hearing aids, says Megann Young, M.D., a patient advocate who is also a part-time emergency

department doctor in California. Also think of small comforts, she says, such as blankets and pillows for cold rooms with plastic furniture. Depending on what’s wrong and what tests they

need, your loved one might not be able to eat and drink. But bring a snack for yourself, she says: “You might be sitting there for hours. … Be prepared to wait for twice as long as you think

is reasonable.” WHEN TO HEAD TO THE ED Not sure whether the person you are caring for really needs to go to the emergency department? You might call their doctor or an insurance company

help line for advice. But you should head to the ED or call 911 if you can’t reach an adviser or if the person has any of these symptoms: * Trouble breathing * Pain or pressure in the chest

or upper abdomen * Fainting, dizziness or weakness * Sudden vision changes * Slurred speech or trouble speaking * Sudden confusion or delirium * Sudden or severe pain * Uncontrollable

bleeding * Diarrhea or vomiting that is severe or doesn’t stop * Coughing or vomiting blood * Suicidal feelings * Worsening or new problems moving arms or legs * A serious fall or other

accident * Other problems a doctor has said are emergencies _Source: Next Step in Care (nextstepincare.org)_ Bring your phone charger, James advises. And use the phone as soon as you can to

let the patient’s primary doctor or relevant specialist know what’s happening. While it’s smart to bring a medication list, it’s even better to bring a bag with all the patient’s

medications, James says. That will give the staff extra information, he says. But don’t assume your loved one will be able to take their regular doses during the emergency visit, Young

says. There may be medical reasons to wait, so always ask the staff, she advises: “Probably half the time we say, ‘Oh yeah, go ahead.’ And about half the time we say, ‘Heck no.’ ”  WHILE

YOU’RE IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT “First of all, stay with them, if that’s allowable by hospital policy,” Young says. “Just the presence of a familiar person can be so helpful.”   Be ready

to explain, clearly and briefly, why you are there. You’ll probably talk first to a triage nurse, who decides how quickly someone gets treated, Abruzzo says. “We want the caregiver to focus

on the main event” — the accident, symptom or other change that brought you there. What caregivers share can be extremely helpful, the professionals say. “We’re going to certainly talk to

our patient and try to get the history, but we recognize that the caregivers know this individual the best,” Sanon says. The caregiver can point to “subtle changes we may miss,” she says.

“It goes a long way when you say, ‘Well, this is not how Mom would normally behave.’”