One of the primary duties of a family caregiver is to ensure a senior loved one receives timely healthcare. Getting your loved one to medical appointments can be challenging enough, so you need to make the best of the time you spend with the healthcare provider. Consider these practical suggestions for interacting with healthcare professionals.
Be Prepared
When you accompany your loved one to a medical appointment, make the most of the time by being prepared to share information and ask questions. Before going to the appointment, make notes of any concerns to share with the healthcare provider. The doctor will usually direct questions to your loved one, but if your parent fails to remember something that should be shared, you can help by sharing information from your notes. You should also express your concerns or observations. Being prepared also means bringing along any prescription or over-the-counter medications your loved one takes.
If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of elderly home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
Be an Advocate
For some people, a medical visit can be intimidating. An older adult may be hesitant to share his or her feelings regarding treatment recommendations. Your loved one may see the healthcare provider as an authority who shouldn’t be questioned or challenged. However, seniors have a right to refuse treatments and get second opinions. Healthcare providers should answer questions in a manner that helps seniors make informed decisions. If you’re unclear about an issue, such as how your loved one should take a medication, ask detailed questions. If a doctor prescribes a medication and instructs your loved one to take it three times each day, ask “When during the day should he or she take it?” If your loved one is worried about a new treatment recommendation, ask about alternatives.
A home caregiver can help you keep track of your loved one’s health status and remind him or her to take prescribed medications. Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Barrie Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
Be Discreet
A diagnosis or prognosis may be upsetting to your loved one. In that situation, you might request a private meeting with the healthcare provider to discuss the issue and decide on the best way to share it with your loved one.
Be Honest about Your Situation
A healthcare provider may not fully understand your challenges with caregiving. Scheduling medical appointments can be difficult when you must work. It may be worthwhile to talk with the healthcare professional privately about issues that make it challenging to get your loved one to appointments. Having these conversations may help healthcare providers understand the need to work with you on scheduling, which is helpful when your loved one has frequent medical appointments.
Be Courteous
We sometimes forget healthcare professionals are human. Many work long hours to meet their clients’ needs. When your loved one’s healthcare provider shows patience and provides excellent care, don’t hesitate to express your appreciation. Doctors may see hundreds of people, but when they’re treated with appreciation and courtesy, it’s likely they’ll remember and respond in kind.
Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Barrie 24-hour care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or is recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional live-in caregivers from Home Care Assistance to enhance his or her quality of life. Schedule a free in-home consultation by giving us a call today at 647-970-3803.