5 Tips for Accompanying a Loved One to Doctor Appointments

Whether your loved one is receiving elderly care for a serious medical condition, requiring numerous trips to the doctor’s office, or are simply going to the doctor for a regular checkup, accompanying him or her to these appointments is a wonderful way to show your support. However, instead of just sitting in the background while the doctor visits with your aging parent, there are several ways you can make sure to get the most out of these appointments. Before the day of the appointment, compile a list of questions to ask, while also following these 5 tips in order to help your loved one get the care he or she needs.

1. Create a list of prescriptions. Elders who are accepting in-home care may be on several prescriptions to treat their chronic illnesses, pain, or sleepless nights. Forgetting to get them refilled could be dangerous to their health and cause a number of side effects to their physical and mental health. Since your elderly loved one may have a difficult time remembering to get them refilled, take it upon yourself to do a complete inventory of their medications, making sure they are not too low. Having a list of prescriptions that need to be filled for the doctor will ensure they do not get too low.

2. Come up with a list of questions. As mentioned before, create a list of questions to ask the doctor in regards to your loved one’s health, any changes to their behavior, and any observations you have noticed about their physical appearance. Even if the appointment is not for several weeks, keep a piece of paper near the phone, on the refrigerator, or somewhere on the counter that will allow you to write down any questions that pop into your head.

3. Request a wheelchair. If your loved one relies on a wheelchair to get around, call the doctor’s office ahead of time to find out if there are any wheelchairs available to help bring them from the car to the building. This will save you the hassle of having to bring one from home.

4. Do not be embarrassed. Discussing incontinence issues and other embarrassing problems may be easier to avoid instead of talking about it, but it is important the doctor is aware of these problems in order to help your loved one get the care they need. The doctor has most likely heard it all before and will be happy to discuss it with you.

5. Ask the nurse. Not all questions have to go through the doctor because the nurse may be able to answer your question. Since they come in to check the senior’s blood pressure, heart rate, and other vitals before the doctor comes in, that would be the perfect opportunity to ask questions.

Older adults and their caregivers do not need to let the doctor do all the talking. To have a productive appointment, plan for it and follow these 5 tips.

If you or an aging loved one are considering elderly care services in Villanova, PA, contact the caring professionals at Reliant At Home Care today (610) 674-6860.