Going to the doctors...asking for help

As a Geriatric Care Manager from Garden State ElderCare the issue of “going to the doctors” is always a topic of concern.  For many older adults.  This part of the eldercare process can be very stressful and draining. Family members also report becoming very overwhelmed by the multiple doctors’ appointments for their older adults. 

Many times the older adults wish to go to the doctor alone or with a spouse.  In most cases the doctors may tend to rush the appointment, recommend tests and new medications.  There is a lot of medical information to keep track of for the patient.  We recommend that an adult child attend all medical appointments whenever necessary. Especially when there is a dementia issue involved, the patient should not be going to any appointments alone.  The care manager can also attend some or all medical appointments for the older adult and report back to the family... The care manager can be the “navigator” through the complicated health care system and assist the older adults along the way. 

We would recommend taking notes and a notebook to all medical appointments so that the older adult can keep track of the comments and changes during the appointments.  Many older adults are resistant and stubborn and wish to do things alone.  In most cases this is not helpful and can become very confusing for all parties involved.

In some cases with a home health aide from Garden State ElderCare they are able to drive the older adults to medical appointments and go into the visit when necessary.

The family members should attempt to sign the HPPA forms for privacy and release of information and medical records in the doctor’s office so that they can communicate with the medical staff involved with their loved one’s care.