Are You Really Ready for Your Loved One’s Next Doctor Visit?

By Maureen Rulison
Caregiver Support and Resources

Well, are you? As a devoted care partner, readying for your loved one’s next doctor visit may not be your highest priority in the day-to-day. Lord knows, you have a million-and-one other things to do and worry about in providing the love and care your loved one deserves.

But prepare you must, because there’s so much at stake. It only gets more complex as our loved one’s age – in good health or bad – as the number of medical professionals required for health and well-being increase exponentially. 

Perhaps you already know the drill: 

• Cardiologist on Tuesday
• Neurologist the following Tuesday
• Primary care 3 weeks from now
• Endocrinologist next month

Oh, yeah, and you should probably schedule that ear, nose and throat specialist for their sleep apnea (and follow up about YOUR OWN aching knee). In your case, you may have more or less. A lot of individuals I’ve served as a life-care planner and Florida board-certified Patient Advocate have EVEN MORE DOCTORS – a gauntlet of appointments, prescriptions and treatments that must all be organized, planned for effectiveness and coordinated to ensure one decision doesn’t interfere with another.

So Let’s Plan for Your Loved One’s Next Doctor Visit (& Every One After)

Now, your loved one may be quite independent, and even in advancing age they feel confident speaking with nurses, doctors and clinicians. That’s great! But time marches on. They may increasingly enjoy a helping hand in:

• Chronicling symptoms
• Explaining daily struggles
• Advocating needs
• Recalling family history
• Documenting prescriptions & treatments
• & More

Even providing transportation to and from doctor appointments is a valued contribution. There’s no responsibility too small. No matter your role as a care partner, being truly prepared for these appointments is key to making the most out of them. So let’s get all your “ducks in a row,” so to speak, and prepare for your loved one’s next doctor visit.

Scheduling & Logistics

Your loved one has to get there – and get there on time – or the appointment quite literally won’t happen. With how long it takes to schedule a doctor appointment, your window is razor thin. On average, it takes 40 days to schedule a specialist appointment (although, in my personal and professional experience, it’s usually MUCH longer). 

Keeping track of doctor appointments can be challenging, especially when you have multiple providers involved in your loved one’s care. It’s crucial to remember the schedule and avoid missing any appointments. 

Get a calendar – and use it! Refer to it often. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Google calendar on your smartphone, a physical appointment book or a marker board on your refrigerator. Mark down upcoming visits. Make notes about what your loved one will need and other important information worth sharing with their medical professional(s). Set reminders to help you stay organized.

Medical History & Current Realities

While doctors may have access to your loved one’s medical history, it’s still important to bring an updated copy to each appointment. Family history, too. This ensures the healthcare provider has the most accurate and comprehensive information available to inform decisions.

Include details about current prescriptions, treatments and even any vitamins/mineral supplements your loved one takes. Avoid potential complications. It could be a matter of life and death.

(Helpful hint: NEVER ASSUME doctors are sharing updated information in real time, despite care coordination being easier than ever before in the 21st-century digital realm.)

It helps to keep medical histories, insurance cards, identification and other pertinent information in ONE BINDER, which can securely house info in a centralized location and can be segmented by doctor.

Speak the Truth

Your loved one lives their truth 24/7. As a primary (or even supporting) member of the care-partner team, your level of involvement may range from part- to full-time. You see and experience the realities of their health status and aging process first-hand.

Just as your loved one should feel no qualms about personally speaking their truth and advocating their needs, you too should feel free to express your feelings and opinions regarding their care. You may recall that a certain medication caused an adverse side-effect, although your loved one may not recall it. If nothing else, it’s one more piece of information to help make – you guessed it – INFORMED DECISIONS.  

But Listen Intently

While you may have a good understanding of your loved one’s needs and preferences, it’s essential to be open and receptive during the doctor visit. A medical consultation, at its best, is a two-way dialog meant to assess realities and plan treatments TOGETHER.  

Remember: healthcare professionals have years of training, education and expertise in their field. Be prepared to listen and consider their opinions and recommendations. Engage in respectful discussions and ask questions when needed. 

Take Notes

Bring a notepad or use your smartphone to jot down important information, instructions and recommendations for your loved one’s care. Heck, bring a recorder and transcribe the important details with a fresh mind afterward. Great documentation will serve as a reference for future visits and discussions with other doctors. It ensures nothing will be overlooked and helps in coordinating care among the different medical professionals and community resources involved in the continuum of care.

Again, while your loved one’s healthcare provider may be taking detailed notes themselves, NEVER ASSUME this information will be shared in real time or be made available in a timely manner by other providers. It’s best to have your own record as a standby, if nothing else.

So When’s Your Loved One’s Next Doctor’s Appointment? Are You Truly Prepared?

Your presence and preparedness during your loved one’s doctor visits play a vital role in ensuring compassionate care. Of course, it can be a daunting task shuffling so many and keeping everything organized.

If you need help, a Florida state certified Patient Advocate, like myself, can support you in navigating the healthcare system and coordinating care. I’ve always enjoyed the privilege of helping care-partner teams secure appropriate care options, organize essential documents and provide referrals to trusted resources. 

Caregiver Support and Resources, LLC, has over 25 years of experience in life-care planning and is here to guide you with a compassionate and caring hand through each step of the care journey. Contact me here and let’s get to know each other!