Doctor Visits

Taking the person you care for to the doctor is an important role as a caregiver, and planning ahead can lead to better care for the patient and less stress for you. Listed below is a checklist to help you make the right decision and aid in making the process go more smoothly.

1. Knowing when to take someone to the doctor. You should take someone to the doctor for regular check-ups if you notice any change in the persons health (both mental and physical), if the medications the persons are on are not working, and of course for any sudden injuries or illnesses.

2. Preparing for the appointment. Before going to the appointment try to help the person track the symptoms leading up to this doctors visit. Try to keep track of changes in eating habits, moods, and bodily functions. Assist in writing questions to ask the doctor, and then prioritize them in case the doctor doesn’t have time to answer all the questions. Schedule the appointment for the person’s best time of day, and remember to call and confirm the appointment.

3. What do you need to bring with you.
1. Insurance Cards
2. The person’s medical history
3. List of over-the-counter and prescribed medications and supplements
4. A health care directive (if the person has one)
5. A list of other health care providers the person is seeing
6. Paper and pencil to take notes
7. Necessary equipment like walkers, hearing aids, etc.
8. Calendar or datebook for scheduling follow-up visits.

4. During the appointment you can be very helpful. You should talk to the person about the role that they want you to take during the visit. Ask them how you can best help. Find out if the person would like to talk privately with the doctor or if they want you to be in there with them (this may not be an option if the person is suffering from memory loss). Encourage the person to talk honestly with the doctor about his or her symptoms.

5. If the person needs assistance you should go in with them in the appointment. Be sure to ask the doctor to clarify any confusing issues you may have, any side effects that may occur, and what you should do if there are complications.

6. You should talk to the doctor yourself if the person is too ill or suffers from memory loss or dementia. If you have questions about the treatment plan or follow-up options, or changes to expect in the person’s condition, you should also talk to the doctor yourself.

7. After the visit make sure to review your notes. Discuss the visit with the person being cared for, ask the person if they have any further questions, review any new prescriptions, put the next appointment on the calendar, call and ask for test results (if applicable), ask the doctors office to schedule an appointment with a specialist if needed, and finally do something nice for yourself. Taking care of the caregiver is important too!