Shared from dailycaring.com.
Doctor’s visits can be a caregiving challenge
Accompanying your older adult to their doctor’s appointments is important, but can be a tough challenge.
While you’re there, you might disagree on what to discuss, they might lie about their symptoms, or they may refuse to discuss sensitive topics.
It can also be tough to find the right balance between letting them speak for themselves and stepping in to bring up important topics or clarify key facts.
But even though you might not want to “take over,” your older adult might need help asking the right questions or understanding instructions.
Or, they may need a strong advocate if the doctor isn’t giving them the attention they deserve or asks them to make big decisions without explaining the risks.
We found a helpful guide from Next Step in Care with practical tips that help you and your older adult coordinate your approach.
This helps you avoid conflicts and get the most out of the doctor’s appointment.
Here, we summarize key points from the guide.