It is impossible to be totally prepared, but the American College of Emergency Physicians has come up with recommendations to take some stress out of the situation:

1. Have a medical history form filled out. Obtain a form and work with your parent's physician to fill it out in advance. List all medications your parent is taking along with allergies and medical problems.

2. Know your parent's doctors . Have their names, contact info and the length of time your parent has been seeing them.

3. Have a report on recent surgeries. Keep track of any operations, especially ones involving implanted devices such as hip replacements or pacemakers.

4. Be ready for possible hospital admission. Bring along a change of clothes and some personal items.

5. Consider living wills. If a condition is life threatening, you need to know what the plan will be and what your parent's wishes are. Talk about living wills or their desire for care if conditions become critical

6. Be ready to convey your parent's state of mind. You know your parent better than the doctor. If he or she seems confused, explain to the physician what "normal" behavior is like.

7. Bring reading materials. If you have a book, magazine or newspaper to read while you are waiting, it will help make the time pass more quickly and keep your stress level low.