Visiting the doctor is a fairly routine element of many family caregivers’ care journeys. When you are caring for your senior you are likely to need to bring them to the doctor multiple times a year, sometimes on a regular schedule, to deal with chronic health conditions, address illnesses, or manage injuries. When you go, ensuring that you have a few items with you can help to make these visits smoother and more beneficial.
Some things you should bring with you to a doctor’s visit for your parent include:
- Entertainment. You should never leave home without a few things that you can reach for to fill long waits in the waiting room or after tests when you might have to stay at the doctor for a period until results are ready. Paperbacks, puzzle books, even adult coloring books, along with snacks and water, can make these waits much more comfortable and reduce stress.
- Health notebook. Having a health notebook makes keeping your senior’s health information organized and easily accessible much simpler. This can be just a basic spiral notebook or it can be a binder with folders and labels, however you feel most comfortable. In this notebook you should keep all of your parent’s information as well as notes you take before and during the doctor’s visit. These should include symptoms, changes in symptoms, questions, and concerns.
- Medication information. Even if you are bringing your parent back to the same doctor or to the same team of doctors, never assume that they know or remember the medications that your parent is taking. If your senior is taking medications, including regular use of any over-the-counter products, make notes of pertinent information about those medications, including the name, why they are taking it, how they are taking it, when they are taking it, and how it affects them, or even bring along labels or packaging so the doctor can be fully informed. This can help them to understand what your parent is dealing with and prevent prescribing medications that may be harmful.
Starting home care for your aging parent can make a tremendous difference in their health, well-being, and quality of life as they age in place. An in-home senior care services provider can be there for your parent on a completely customized schedule to ensure that your parent gets all of the care that they need, but that you are also kept at the forefront of their care routine. This care provider will provide your parent with a highly personalized set of services tailored specifically to your loved one’s needs, challenges, and limitations, as well as their personality, preferences, and goals. Through this support, which can include reliable transportation, assistance with activities of daily living, and companionship, your parent can experience more independence, activity, and fulfillment while staying healthy and safe.
If you or an aging loved one needs home care in Folsom, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
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