When your child is getting ready to leave home – either for college or work – they need to be prepared to manage their asthma. If you have been taking care of your child’s healthcare needs, it is now time for them to start figuring things out for themselves. While at college, or just living on their own for the first time, your child will be responsible for:
- Making sure they can recognize and control their trigger(s)
- Keeping up with their medication(s)
- Getting prescriptions filled and refilled
- Scheduling appointments
- Getting medical care if their asthma acts up
As their caregiver, you may worry about them living on their own. These tips will help both you and your child feel more confident.
Find Housing That Fits Your Child’s Needs
Take time to look at all housing options ahead of time to find one that will help your child manage their asthma. Consider a building that:
Once housing is selected, there are more steps your child should take:
- Discuss their asthma with roommates, friends, and, if in college, their resident advisor. Your child should let them know what they must avoid and how to help if they have an asthma episode.
- Consider bringing an air purifier for their room as well. Air purifiers filter particles in the air, such as dust or smoke, and circulate clean air back into the room. Additional information on how to select the right air purifier is included in the Appendices.
- Keep their living area clean to help avoid allergens, such as dust and mold.
- Use dust-mite-proof covers for their pillows and mattress.
- Change their sheets weekly.
Health Care Considerations
Knowing How Insurance Policies Work
Talk with your child about your health insurance limits. Most insurance plans allow your child to stay covered on your plan if they are a full-time student or until they turn 26.
For college students, student health insurance may be available at their school for a more affordable fee. But your child may then be limited to the campus clinic for care.
Finding a Healthcare Provider
Your child should identify a healthcare provider close to their school or new home. Tips for finding the right doctor include:
- Getting a recommendation from your child’s doctor(s). Tell them that your child is moving and ask their advice for finding qualified doctors in their hometown.
- Find healthcare providers through your insurance provider. Make sure any new doctor is covered by your child’s health insurance.
- Use an online tool to find a reputable provider.
- U.S. News & World Report provides information about top doctors across the country. This easy tool will help you find a provider by zip code and specialty – https://health.usnews.com/doctors
Locating a Pharmacy
Once your child’s housing decision is made, identify a nearby pharmacy where their prescriptions can be filled. Be sure the pharmacy is included in your prescription insurance.
Protecting Your Ability to Help Your Child
At age 18, your child is legally an adult with the right to medical privacy. While your adult child may be capable of making their own healthcare choices, there may be emergency situations when they are unable to communicate with their provider.
With your child’s consent, there are steps you can take to make sure you can still participate on their behalf in their healthcare decisions.
HIPAA Release Form
The main purpose of the HIPAA Privacy Rule is to protect patient privacy. This HIPAA Release Form is like a permission slip. It allows you to be part of conversations and decisions relating to your student’s health.
Your child should complete a HIPAA Release Form which should include the following information:
- A description of the information that will be shared
- The purpose for which the information will be shared
- The name of the person to whom the information will be disclosed
- An end date or event when consent to use/disclose the information is withdrawn. For example, an end event may be when college studies are complete
- A signature and date from your child
Power of Attorney for Health Care
our child should have a Power of Attorney for Healthcare in place. This document will allow you to communicate with their healthcare providers about their care and treatment if they are sick.
The Power of Attorney for Healthcare allows your child to designate someone to help handle their medical needs and decision-making in case they are not able to. These forms can vary by state. You can find a tool here – https://eforms.com/power-of-attorney/medical/ – to find a form specific to the state in which your child will be living.
Contact the Office for Students with Disabilities or Accommodations
Most college campuses have an office for students with disabilities or accommodations. It is important that your child contact this office to see what assistance is available. This office may help to advocate for students with their professors in case of illness and missed classes.
At college, your child may need in-class accommodations not previously required. For example, in a science lab class, your child may be exposed to chemical inhalants for the first time. In this type of situation, they may need their professor to provide a respirator mask or even a different assignment. It’s important your child takes advantage of the supportive services their school can provide.
