Doctor appointments take on greater importance in the senior years. Your aging loved one may need more frequent checkups for chronic health conditions. He or she may also schedule an appointment to have a test or discuss a new diagnosis. Helping your loved one prepare for appointments ensures he or she gets everything he or she needs from the doctor to take care of his or her health.
Gather Any New Information
Many things can change between doctor appointments, and separate medical teams may not always communicate with each other. For instance, your loved one may need to take copies of a health report or X-ray to a different doctor. Your parent may also have a new symptom or diagnosis the doctor needs to know about. Create a file with any pertinent information your loved one can hand to the doctor at the beginning of the appointment.
Home caregivers can help families maintain detailed records of their loved ones’ daily routines and note any issues their doctors should know about. Homecare services 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.
Make a List of Current Medications
Trying to remember all your parent’s medications can feel impossible. Write down the names of any medications your loved one takes regularly. Make sure to include non-prescription medications such as pain relievers and supplements on the list. Then finish up by writing down any known allergic reactions your loved one has to certain types of medicine.
Discuss What Your Loved One Needs to Talk About
Doctors can sometimes seem to be in a hurry, and it’s easy for a senior to get distracted during an appointment and forget what he or she wanted to discuss. Sit down the night before the appointment and prepare a list of questions for your parent to ask the doctor. This is also a good time to ask if your loved one wants someone to accompany him or her to the appointment to act as an advocate and help him or her remember essential information.
Plan for Transportation
A lack of transportation is one of the main reasons seniors skip essential doctor appointments. Your loved one may prefer to have someone provide transportation to the appointment if he or she has anxiety. Your parent might also need a ride home after medical visits that require tests that cause him or her to feel drowsy or have difficulty seeing well. Discuss what type of medical visits your loved one has coming up, and make transportation arrangements that help him or her get to the appointment on time and in a relaxed mood.
If you’re unable to take your parent to the doctor yourself, a home caregiver can be a great resource. Roseville senior home 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.
Offer Help with Dressing & Bathing
Seniors who are mostly housebound may need assistance with getting physically ready for their appointments. Your loved one will feel more comfortable during an exam if he or she is clean and dressed nicely. Ask your loved one if he or she needs assistance with personal hygiene on the morning of the appointment. If so, arrange for a caregiver to help so your loved one feels confident leaving the house for the day.
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. For some families, caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times. Luckily, they can rely on professional respite care. Roseville, CA, Home Care Assistance is a trusted name in respite and hourly care. Our caregivers are available around the clock to assist seniors with bathing, transportation, medication reminders, exercise, and much more, allowing families the time they need to focus on other important responsibilities or just take a break. Contact one of our experienced Care Managers today at (916) 226-3737 to learn more about our reliable in-home care services.