Making the Most of Doctor Visits
The time you have with your doctor gains importance as we get older, as it’s the best time to have an honest discussion about your health and to answer any questions you may have. But because this time is relatively brief, many people end up forgetting things that they wanted to bring up or still have questions after they return home.
The key is to be prepared before the appointment. With that in mind, Center’s Healthcare has four ways for seniors to make the most of their doctor appointments.
- Make a List
You’ll want to have a list of questions for the doctor coming in. We suggest leaving a piece of paper (or use the notepad function in your smartphone) out a few days prior to the appointment, so you can add things to the list as you think of them. Also bring a list of medications that you take in order for the doctor to have up-to-date information in your chart.
- Be Honest About Yourself
If you’re over 65 and having any issues regarding falling or difficulty with balance, along with any bladder control or concerns about your fitness level, need to be brought up proactively with your physician. Also ask if there are any vaccines or screenings that your doctor recommends for you.
- Ask Follow-up Questions
Some doctors are better at explaining things than others. If you don’t understand what your doctor is saying or if you have a follow-up question, don’t stay silent. It’s also a good idea to repeat your doctor’s instructions back to them, just to make sure that you heard them and understood them correctly.
- Bring a Second Set of Ears
If you routinely have the feeling like you didn’t get the most out of your doctor’s visits or have a hard time remember instructions that were given, consider bringing a loved one with you to your appointment. You can also bring a pen and write down the doctor’s answers to the questions you wrote down on your notepad.