August 20, 2021
The best way for seniors (and really, anyone) to get the most out of their doctors’ visits is to go prepared. Below, we outline a few ways that seniors can prepare for their doctors’ appointments so that they can leave feeling informed and with a clear understanding of what steps they need to take to maintain or improve their health.
Keep a Diary of Your Symptoms
During a doctor’s visit, your physician will assess your risk of developing an age-related condition or, if you’re currently being treated for a condition, if your treatment plan is effective or needs to be adjusted. The best way for your doctor to assess your health and/or your treatment plan is to have a clear picture of your symptoms. A symptom diary is an excellent way for you to communicate your symptoms to your doctor. You can also keep track of things like when you exercised or what you ate to help your doctor see if there is any connection between these lifestyle behaviors and your symptoms.
For example, if you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and you experience fatigue, frequent urination, and cuts that heal slowly, keeping a journal of how your symptoms worsen, improve, or stay the same helps your doctor understand what’s working and what may not be working in your treatment plan. Keeping a journal of your symptoms can also help you understand your body better–what helps improve your symptoms and what makes your symptoms worse.
Bring Your List of Current Medications
Whenever you visit your doctor, they’ll ask you what medications you’re currently taking. This includes over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements. Your doctor wants to know that they have updated information for your medications. If your doctor needs to make any adjustments to your treatment plan, having an updated medication list helps them make these decisions. Your doctor may also want to see if any medications or supplements that you’re taking could be contributing to any symptoms you may be experiencing.
Prepare a List of Questions
Doctor’s visits can happen quickly and it can be easy to forget whatever questions you wanted to ask your physician. To avoid getting overwhelmed during your appointment, consider preparing a list of questions that you want to ask your doctor. Tell your doctor at the beginning of your appointment that you’ve prepared a few questions that you’d like to cover during the appointment. It can also be helpful to write down the answers to your questions while with your doctor. This way, you’ll have a reference you can look back on if needed.
Bring Someone With You
Doctors’ visits can be overwhelming. Your doctor may give you a lot of information in a short amount of time. Consider bringing an advocate with you to your appointments, especially if you have a condition that makes it difficult for you to properly retain the information your doctor gives you, such as a hearing condition or problems with memory. An advocate can be your child, spouse, or a home care aide or nurse.
At JSP Home Care Services, our home health aides and nurses assist aging adults in New York City to their doctors’ appointments and help them follow their treatment plan. To learn more about how we accompany aging adults in New York City, contact us online or call 866.860.2528.
