Managing your health

Learning how to manage your health and wellness is key to health care transition. This includes having knowledge and skills about you health and medical condition to help you start taking charge and making decision about your care. Below is a list of skills and tips for you to become ready to manage your health into adulthood. Begin to practice these skills with your health care team and parents at the suggested times.

• Early transition (14-16 years old)

  Know your health condition and medications 
  Knowing about your health condition is the first step in taking charge of your health care. Below are important skills and tips to help you start learning about your health condition.  

  • Describe your medical condition.
    • Talk to your health care team and parents about your medical condition.  Learn the name of your medical condition and what it means to have this diagnosis.
  • Describe your medical history.
    • Talk to your health care team and parents about your medical history to learn about any surgeries or procedures that you may have had.
    • Practice giving your medical history to your health care team at your next visit.

  • Describe your signs and symptoms of worsening conditions.
    • Know when you are not feeling well and what to do when you notice signs and symptoms of your health worsening. Ask your health care team about what signs and symptoms to look for when you are not feeling well.

  • Learn your medicines, including names, amount and reason you take each one.
    • Know your medications, the amount you take, and understand the reason for taking them. Ask your health care team to help teach you about your medicines at your visits.

  • Describe any special medical equipment you use.
    • Learn what type of medical equipment you are using and how to use it.

• Middle transition (16-17 years old)

  Manage your health condition
  As you get closer to becoming a young adult, you will begin to be more involved managing your health and making medical decisions. Below are tips to help you start managing your health.

  • Talk to your health care team.
    • At your visits, begin to answer questions from your health care team about your health, medical history, and medications. You can also ask your health care team any questions you have about your health.  
  • Understand your health-related rights.
    • When you turn 18 years old, you will be an adult and will be responsible making medical decisions about your own health.  You will be required to sign consents for treatment and decide who you want to share your medical information with and how it can be shared.  Talk with your health care team and parents about your health-related rights and making medical decisions in the future.
  • Learn the differences between pediatric and adult health care.
    • Talk with your health care team and parents about what to expect when you transfer from your pediatric doctor to an adult doctor.
  • Learn how to refill your medications.
    • Watch and listen as your parents refill your medications.  Practice calling the pharmacy with your parents the next time you are needing a refill.
  • Know your health care team and their role in caring for your medical condition.
    • Learn the names of your health care team and how they help you care for your medical condition.  Your team could include your primary care doctor, specialists, nurses, social workers, child life specialists, psychologists, or dieticians.
  • Learn when and how to contact your health care team.
    • Talk to your health care team about when you should contact them.  Ask for their contact information so that you can reach out to them if you need their help managing your health.
  • Learn how to make an visit.
    • Watch and listen as your parents make a visit with your doctor. Practice calling the clinic or logging on to patient portal with your parents the next time you are needing a visit. Next time try making your visit with the support of your parents.
  • Know when you need to go to emergency room.
    • Talk with your health care team and parents about what to do if you need emergency care. Find out where the nearest emergency room is located. Identify someone to call and inform of your emergency.

  • Start planning on how to get to and from your doctor’s visit.
    • Talk with health care team and parents about your transportation options for visits.
    • Practice setting up transportation with your parents the next time you are needing to get to a visit.

  • Engage in wellness behaviors
    • Begin talking to your health care team and parents about how to practice wellness behaviors daily. Below are tips to help you practice wellness behaviors. 

  • Know the reasons for following your recommended medical plan, including taking medications as prescribed.
    • Talk to your health care team and parents about the importance of following your medical plan. Learn why your medications must be taken and the importance of taking them.

  • Know your medication adherence plan and how you remember to take medications.  
    • Learn about your medical plan and why it’s important to take your medications. Talk with your health care team and parents about tips and strategies for staying adherent. Try using your smart device to remember to take your medicine on time and avoid missing a dose.   

  • Learn about factors or situations that may prevent you from adhering to your medical plan.
    • Ask your health care team for help identifying these factors and situations.  Talk with them about ways and tips to stay adherent to the medical plan and recommendations.
  • Learn about the benefits of a healthy diet, special dietary needs, exercise, and sleep.
    • Ask your health care team about your dietary needs, what type of exercise you can do, and how much sleep you should be getting.   
  • Learn about the risks of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco.
    • Ask your health care team about how alcohol, drugs, and tobacco affect your medical condition.

  • Learn when mental health care support is needed and how to access services.
    • Talk with your health care team about your mental health needs and how to access mental health care.

  • Learn the risk of sexually transmitted infections and the effects it can have on your health. 
    • Ask your health care team how sexually transmitted infections could affect your medical condition.

  • Learn other disease specific wellness behaviors.
    • Ask your health care team about other wellness behaviors that could help you stay healthy. This could include learning how to manage stress, anxiety, and when to ask for help.

• Late transition (17-18 years old)

  Learn About Health Insurance and Community Resources.  
  Begin thinking about your future for health insurance, school, work, and living situations. Below are tips to help you start planning.  

  • Understand types of health insurance.
    • Ask your health care team or parents about the different types of health insurance. Ask them about your current insurance and how it works. 
  • Apply or re-apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), if needed.
    • Around the age of 18, you need to re-apply for SSI as an adult. Information about re-applying should be received by mail from Social Security Administration.  Work with your health care team and parents to complete this application.
  • Have a plan for health insurance coverage for the upcoming year.
    • Understand your current insurance and learn when coverage will end. If needed, talk with your health care team and parents to learn about options for health insurance and finding a new health insurance plan.  
  • Have a plan for the future for school, work, and living situations.
    • Talk to your parents or counselors to help you plan for school or work.  Think about your future goals and how you will achieve them. Learn about how to apply for scholarships and financial aid if you plan to go to college.
  • Identify accommodation needs for school or work.
    • Know what assistance you may need to be successful at school or work.  Talk to your health care team and parents about how to get the assistance you need.
  • Identify at least two people to ask for help when needed.
    • Think about two people can help you become more independent as you move into adulthood.  Ask them for their support.

  For more education and tools on managing your health, click here.
  For more resources, click here.