You've experienced plenty of doctor's appointments for yourself and your kids, but sitting in on a doctor's appointment for an elderly parent is different. Both you and your dad may be used to the parent being the one in charge—particularly when it comes to his own health. But now that you have more responsibility for his well-being, effective communication with his doctor is imperative. Here are five best-practice tips for talking with a
senior care
doctor to ensure that your parent gets the care he needs:
1. Make a list of discussion points before the appointment.
Medical offices often operate on a tight schedule, which means that important information may be overlooked during the appointment itself. Make the most out of your visit by covering all of the major concerns you’ve had since the last appointment by having them in writing to refer to as needed. Pen-and-paper notes are great, but you can also make notes on your smartphone—it's one less thing you have to remember to pack on the way to the appointment.
2. Don't be embarrassed to take notes during the appointment.
Do not hesitate to take down the doctor’s instructions during the appointment. This is particularly relevant if your elderly parent has a number of health concerns or will need to begin a complicated new treatment. While your doctor may offer you a handout, you'll also want to be able to jot down important information specific to your loved one.
3. Fill out the necessary paperwork.
Privacy regulations protect seniors. If you want your parent's doctor to be able to discuss medical issues with you outside of the visit, share important test results, or answer your questions when your parent isn't immediately present, you must have proof that your parent consents to information being shared with you.
Take the time to fill out the paperwork properly ahead of time—including the documents that give you medical power of attorney so that you can make important medical decisions and act on behalf of your parent.
4. Communicate with the doctor before and after the visit.
Most offices will be glad to answer questions that may come up outside the appointment window. Some offices prefer phone calls, while others would rather have a fax or email to refer to during the visit. Before the appointment, ask the office which is easiest for them. Bring up topics that you'd like the doctor to discuss with your parent: for example, decreasing eyesight or a health concern that your parent might not bring up on his own.
5. Have a clear plan for communication within the family.
It's usually more effective to designate one person to whom all the medical questions are referred. Ideally, that will be the person who can be on hand for appointments and who will be helping to administer medications. A whiteboard in your loved one's home, a group text list, or a private social media group can help quickly share that information with other caregivers. The key is developing a communication plan early on, when you have the time to work out the kinks.
Developing effective communication between members of your family and your parent's doctor is the easiest way to ensure that your loved one is consistently receiving the care he needs. Communication goes both ways. You want to know that your loved one is receiving the
best possible care, and that all of his medical concerns are being addressed. To lay the foundation for a candid and sincere relationship with your loved one’s healthcare provider, start by incorporating these tips before, during, and following an appointment.