Many senior citizens spend a lot of time at the doctor's office. A common complaint from these patients is that they don't feel satisfied with their care - and it is typically not the quality of the care received so much as it is the fact that seniors don't understand what was said at the appointment or they didn't feel that the doctor listened well enough to them to fully address their complaints.
There are many ways that seniors can feel more confident in their care. Some easy ways to improve senior visits to the doctor include the following:
- Write down the name of each prescription medication currently being taken along with the dosage and what the medication is being taken for - update this card whenever a medication is added, removed or altered and bring a photocopy of this card to each visit for the doctor's quick reference
- Always bring a pad and pen to each appointment and write down important information the doctor conveys such as diagnoses, further appointments or referrals needed and treatment recommendations
- Write down any questions to be asked during the visit and bring them to the appointment
- If the appointment is likely to be particularly complicated or if the patient is easily confused or has memory problems, consider bringing a family member or friend along to be sure important information is correctly and completely understood
- If the patient has a hearing or comprehension problem, be sure the doctor is aware of this prior to the appointment so that the patient does not end up missing important information given at the appointment
- If a new medication is prescribed, be sure to ask what possible side effects to watch for
- Be sure to mention whether current medication is effectively treating the condition it is being taken for - if not, ask the doctor to find another more effective method of treatment
- Always mention new symptoms or conditions at the time of the appointment so the doctor can keep an accurate log of problems and concerns
- Consider asking the front desk for a copy of your records to keep at home - this makes visits to specialists easy and more affordable when you can copy and send them your own records but be aware that many office will charge a fee for record copying
In today's busy world of healthcare, doctors have less time to spend with patients than ever, and visits with seniors are no exception. By taking the above steps, seniors can ensure better satisfaction with their visits to the doctor.
Kristin Colangelo - I have a strong background in science - specifically zoology, human biology and chiropractic. I owned and operated a family ...
