You may want to accompany your care recipient to doctor’s appointments. This way, you and your care recipient can work together as members of the health care team and ensure that you both understand the recommended medical course of action. This is an especially important role if your care recipient is cognitively impaired.
Here is a checklist to help you make the most of your doctor’s visit:
Doctor's Office Visit Checklist
Before the Visit
- Write down all questions or any concerns you might have so you don’t forget them. This will help you state them clearly. Regardless of how insignificant you feel the doctor may think it is– ASK!
- Identify current symptoms. Use the following handy symptom-reporting guide.
- Update the patient file and medication list. Be sure to include all medications, over the counter drugs and supplements.
- Call to confirm appointment
During the Visit
- Bring the updated medication list
- Clearly report all of your loved one’s symptoms; don’t try to diagnose the problem.
- Ask your questions and record the answers
- Record doctor's instructions
- Discuss recommendations
- Verify follow-up
After the Visit
- Review your notes
- Check prescriptions
- Discuss the visit
- Update your calendar
- Call for test results