If you have children, you need to keep track of their checkups and immunizations for schools and camps. But even adults should know their family medical history, especially as they get older, and parents aren't available to offer information. Writing down everything — illnesses, surgeries, allergies, injuries, etc. — makes it easier for your doctor to treat you now and keep an eye out for future problems.

It all starts with a folder
The easiest thing to do is to get a folder, preferably one that expands, for each family member. You can also use a three-ring binder. Just write each person's name and date of birth on the front and use the folder as the main place to store all of your medical records, including:

• Immunization certificates (make extra copies to hand out at school and camps)
• Diagnosis sheets from each doctor's visit (usually a copy of the form the doctor checks off during your visit)
• Any test results, pamphlets, instruction sheets, or brochures the doctor gives that person, especially if it pertains to an ongoing illness
• Health articles of interest and a list of tests for that individual's age group
• A one-page sheet with brief notes of the last doctor's visit, including any home care instructions, follow-up tests, and next appointment

Set up a folder like this for each family member. Don't make it fancy or difficult. Ideally, you'll want to put the papers in chronological order. But if that's too much to handle, just having all the material in one place is a big help when you visit your doctor, urgent care center, or emergency room. Or you can even set up an online version using MyHealth Record on MyHumana, your password-protected, personal home page on www.humana.com