How to Plan Ahead for Your Elderly Loved One’s Doctor’s Appointments
Your loved one’s appointments with her doctor are a golden opportunity to gain more information and to address concerns you and your loved one have. The key to making the most of these appointments is preparing for the appointment in advance.
Double Check the Date and Time
This is such a simple step, but it truly does help. If you’ve ever relied on memory alone to keep yourself informed about an upcoming appointment, you probably learned that memory is fallible. When you’re busy and under emotional and physical stress, your memory can be faultier than usual. It always pays to have that information in multiple places and to double check the date, even if you think you remember exactly when the appointment is.
Jot Down Questions and Concerns
As you’re preparing for the appointment, keep a running list of any questions or concerns that you and your elderly loved one have. Doctors are busy, but so are you. Having a list in hand ensures that you’re able to make the most of your time in the appointment and that you’re not flustered during the appointment. If you jot down questions as you think of them, you’ll be able to hit all of your concerns.
Arrange Transportation, if Necessary
Unfortunately, you may not always be able to go to the appointment with your loved one. If that’s the case for you, then arranging transportation for your loved one may be the next task on your list. Friends or family members may be able to handle the job for your loved one, or you might want to hire elder care providers to help your loved one get to her appointment safely.
Follow up with Additional Questions Afterward
When your loved one gets test results back afterward, or as you and she process the information that you learn during the appointment, you and your loved one might find that you have additional questions that need answering. Follow up with your loved one’s doctor or the nurse at the practice to get the answers that you need.
Keeping a notebook devoted to your loved one’s appointments with her doctor can help you to feel more organized.