The Association for the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has teamed with Microsoft to launch AARP Health Record, an online personal health record (PHR) tool designed to help people over 50 manage and improve their health. The record, which connects to Microsoft’s HealthVault, will be able to enter, store, and edit the personal health information of people 50 and older, in a central location and to share it selectively with caregivers, family members, doctors, and other healthcare providers.
“AARP Health Record is designed to help our members better manage their health so they can focus on the things they care about most – enjoying the happiness and peace of mind that comes from living life to the fullest,” AARP vice president Nicole Duritz, said in a statement. “In today’s digital environment, AARP Health Record is the right resource at the right time.”
The AARP Health Record will be free to AARP members. It will aim on giving AARP members an easy way to track and manage basic health information, such as blood type, drug allergies, medications, and personal and family health history as well as emergency and provider contact information. Users can also print and carry an easy-to-read wallet card with their vital health statistics. The tool is bi-lingual, available in English and Spanish.
HealthVault can store personal health information (PHI) from multiple sources in a single location, and to create additional profiles for their spouse, children, aging parents or anyone whose health they need to monitor or help manage. Account holders can select among hundreds of connected health and wellness applications to monitor chronic conditions and share data with their doctors, or track progress against wellness or fitness goal.
“This is the future of health care,” said Duritz. “Our members need information that is current and convenient, so they can ask smart questions and communicate effectively with the healthcare system, whether they are in their doctor's office or halfway around the world on vacation. Health Record is a great resource for our members to use when interacting with the medical system—whether for themselves, their kids or their aging parents and other loved ones.”
