As a family caregiver, fostering a good relationship between your aging loved one and his or her health care team is vital to maintaining his or her wellness. So how exactly do you go about creating a strong relationship with your loved one’s doctor? Here are a few tips for how to ensure optimal results and efficient use of time at medical appointments.
Be Prepared
When the appointment is made, information should be gathered about what types of paperwork will be needed at the visit. In addition to insurance cards, most physicians will need to see a complete list of your loved one’s medications, any test results, and medical records.
If you’re unable to take your parent to the doctor yourself, a home caregiver can be a great resource. Waterloo senior care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
Bring a List of Questions
All too often, seniors and their caregivers think of important questions to ask doctors before appointments and then forget most of them after they arrive. Keeping a running list on the door of the refrigerator or in another accessible place can help seniors and their families quickly jot down concerns when they think of them.
Home caregivers can help families maintain detailed records of their loved ones’ daily routines and note any issues their doctors should know about. Elderly home care providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Home Care Assistance are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Inquire about Auxiliary Services
Many people falsely assume their parents’ physicians are fully aware of the treatments and therapies their loved ones are receiving. It’s crucial to be proactive and ask the doctor whether or not your loved one may benefit from things such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, diabetes education classes, or other programs.
Ask Follow-Up Questions
Some people are too embarrassed to clarify instructions they’re given, and others are noncompliant because they don’t see a clear purpose for treatment. If a new therapy or medication regimen is started, it’s extremely important to take note of your loved one’s response to the new plan and report any potential issues. If you need further clarification about a treatment or why it’s being prescribed, don’t be afraid to ask.
A professional home caregiver can help your loved one prepare for appointments and keep track of any new symptoms or changes in your parent’s health that may require seeing a doctor. Seniors living with serious health conditions often need extensive assistance in and outside the home. Home Care Assistance is a trusted provider of Waterloo live-in care. Our caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with bathing, grooming, light housekeeping, and various other daily tasks, and we also offer specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care. For more information about our flexible, customizable home care plans, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (519) 954-2111.