Doctor Visits
Be part of the Team | Keep a Notebook | List Concerns | Talk with the Doctor

All Doctor Visits Tips

As caregiver you are an important member of the health care team.

Establishing good relationships with health care providers will mean better care for your dad and less stress for you.

Understand the role of each health care provider and how he or she will help with your mom's care.

Ask health care providers to suggest the best time to call, when they might be free to answer questions. When calling, have important health information and records available.

Keep a notebook.

Start a notebook thats contain key information about Uncle Bill's health and health care. Include:

• The names and contact information for all providers (e.g., all physicians, home health providers, chiropractors, etc).
• A list of all the medications Uncle Bill takes, both over-the-counter (vitamins, aspirin) and prescription, with dosing instructions.
• Copies of any medical test results.
• Notes made while monitoring a particular problem (e.g., blood sugar levels, temperature, blood pressure, etc.)

List your concerns.

Between doctor visits keep track of specific concerns and questions that come up.

Then, the day before the next doctor visit, review the list and identify additional concerns that the two of you want to discuss with the provider:

• Questions from the last visit.
• New symptoms.
• Changes in function.
• Questions about medications, treatments, procedures, medical terms, or technical language.

Be sure to put your most pressing concerns first.

Talk with the doctor in person.

While some memory lapses are common, they can be signs of Alzheimer's Disease. Make sure the doctor knows about the situation.

Especially if your parent has been diagnosed with a serious illness, accompany him to the doctor to learn about treatment options and medication. Take the notebook and your list of specific concerns and questions with you.

At the beginning of the visit:

• Tell the doctor you have some concerns or questions.
• Give her the list you've prepared.

Make sure you and your parent understand the answers to your questions. Take notes (and add them to your notebook) to prevent confusion later on.

Before leaving:

• Review the list of concerns to make sure you've discussed everything.
• Summarize the visit to be sure you and the doctor both understand what the provider will do, and what you and your parent will do as a result of the visit.
• Have your parent give the doctor written permission to talk with you by phone if you cannot come to a subsequent appointment.