If you have been caring for a patient for a long time, then you probably know that you may encounter various challenges when heading to a doctor’s appointment. Most often, this applies to numerous questions about the health of an older adult.

We interviewed dozens of experienced caregivers and learned essential tips on visiting the doctor as comfortable and practical as possible both – for you and your patient.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Bring the patient’s insurance card with you
• Study your patient health history
• Make a list of all medicines the senior take
• Take notes

Prepare Doctor’s Visit in Advance

Recent studies have shown that caregivers who prepared for a doctor’s appointment witnessed that their patients received more attention and answers to questions.

The whole point is that if you write down your patient’s medical problems in advance and the dosage of medications that an older adult takes, then a doctor’s appointment will be much more effective.

You can also copy the patient’s health notes and give them to the treating doctor on your next visit. This will help a doctor complete the medical record and consider the patient’s current health status.

Tell More About Your Patient Health Observations

As a caregiver, you know better than anyone else how your patient is doing. Such information is vital for the attending physician, who needs to track the dynamics of changes in an older person’s health.

The doctor will most likely ask you the following questions:

• Have you noticed sudden changes in your patient’s appetite?
• Does the patient have sleep problems?
• Where does the patient feel pain?
• What is the nature of the pain?
• Do you make sure the patient is hydrated throughout the day?

Don’t Try to Hold It All in Memory

If your patient is taking many medications, it is best to write down their names on a separate sheet and show them to the doctor. Also, do not forget to indicate the dosage and frequency of medication.

NOTE! Do not forget to mention if your patient is allergic to any medicinal components.

Don’t Miss Out on Details

Try to tell the doctor even the slightest changes that have occurred to the patient since the last visit. It’s not just about changes in behavior. Try to remember if the patient’s eating habits have changed, maybe there has been an increase in body temperature, or the patient has experienced headaches – it all matters!

At first glance, it may seem that these nuances are not at all significant. However, the doctor assesses the health condition according to various factors – even the most minor details can be vital.

Feel Free to Ask Any Questions

If you are concerned about your patient’s health, then feel free to ask a doctor about it. Suppose you are worried that a senior cannot sleep for a long time. Share your observations and ask how you could help the patient.

The more answers you get – the better the treatment will be!