| Clear communication between a doctor and | | | | There are some considerations that doctors can |
| patient is vital to ensure that seniors receive the | | | | utilize when dealing with older patients to reduce |
| best medical care possible. Effective verbal | | | | the instances of miscommunication but as most |
| communication helps the doctor gain insight into | | | | of us already know, doctors are often rushed and |
| possible medical problems that the patient may be | | | | many of these considerations are not put into |
| experiencing, and also ensures that the patient | | | | place without some encouragement by the |
| comprehends the instructions provided by the | | | | patient or their representative. |
| doctor. As is often the case with seniors, several | | | | - My first suggestion is that a family member, a |
| barriers exist that can cause communication | | | | trusted friend or a caregiver who is very familiar |
| issues which may stand in the way of optimal | | | | with the senior attend the office visit with the |
| medical care. | | | | loved one. |
| While medical tests can reveal most of the story, | | | | - Secondly, make a list of questions that you or |
| the information that the patient shares verbally is | | | | your loved one would like covered during the visit. |
| just as beneficial to the doctor when it comes to | | | | Just as having a grocery list helps get you home |
| diagnosing a medical condition. Most people | | | | with all of your grocery items in hand, this list of |
| experience anxiety when they go to the doctor. | | | | questions will keep you focused on obtaining all |
| The exam room can be quite intimidating, | | | | the answers you want to receive. |
| especially for senior patients. Conversations tend | | | | - Thirdly, bring a notebook that contains vital |
| to be rushed and often little time is set aside for | | | | information such as insurance provider, family |
| the patient to speak freely. Add to that the fact | | | | medical history, a list of currently and recently |
| that many of our elders grew up in an era where | | | | taken medications, diagnostic tests that have |
| "complaining" to physicians was looked upon as a | | | | been performed (and their results if you have |
| weakness or where there was little money | | | | them), allergies, phone numbers of other family |
| available for medical treatment. They were taught | | | | members and a page on which notes from each |
| to "just keep on going and it'll eventually go | | | | office visit can be placed. (These notebooks are |
| away". | | | | available for sale on our website and will soon be |
| Ailments that are common to seniors such as | | | | available in an immediately downloadable format.) |
| depression, are often overlooked because the | | | | - Doctors can plan longer office visits for senior |
| majority of the office visit is spent noting vital | | | | patients. Call ahead and explain that you will be |
| signs and reviewing the results of medical tests. | | | | accompanying an elder patient so that more time |
| There are many additional medical problems that | | | | will be scheduled for the visit. You might even |
| seniors may be experiencing that go unreported | | | | give a list of your concerns to the nurse so that |
| because they are simply afraid to bring them up | | | | she can pass them along to the physician. When a |
| in the doctor's office. Incontinence issues are | | | | doctor does not feel rushed, he will tend to speak |
| often overlooked because elders are | | | | slowly and allow more time for the patient to |
| embarrassed to speak of them. | | | | relax and share information. |
| Hearing deficits are a big problem when it comes | | | | - Having the physician summarize the key points |
| to receiving the correct information from the | | | | made during the visit at the end is also very |
| physician. Retaining information is another aspect | | | | helpful. Anything that was not understood |
| of communication that can be an obstacle for | | | | previously can then be revisited. |
| older patients. A doctor is likely to provide a lot of | | | | - Written instructions provided at the end of the |
| information during an office visit and there may | | | | visit for the patient to take home and review will |
| be little time for the patient to write down or | | | | help ensure that instructions are followed. Review |
| remember all of the instructions that are given, | | | | these with the nurse who will probably be the one |
| especially when there is any type of dementia | | | | returning to the room with the instructions. |
| involved. | | | | By following these tips, you and your loved one |
| Details concerning dietary guidelines and | | | | will have a better understanding of his or her |
| instructions for the administration of medication | | | | current condition and what if any changes need to |
| are all important, but not always remembered by | | | | be made. |
| senior patients. | | | | |