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Maryland retirement home November 28, 2016

Families can help seniors communicate with health professionals

By: Country Meadows | Uncategorized

At some point during the retirement years, seniors may find that conversing with physicians and other health care personnel is becoming difficult. This is particularly common with those who have hearing difficulties or a cognitive impairment.

Another obstacle for some older retirees is that they view physicians as authority figures who should not be questioned. These seniors may not feel comfortable asking questions on their own. Unfortunately, questions that aren’t asked can lead to important issues that aren’t discussed.

Guidance for seniors and their families

At Country Meadows Retirement Communities, we know our residents must understand their doctors’ communications in order for them to maintain their best possible health. Here, then, is some guidance on how seniors and their families can best interact with physicians and their staffs.

Family members of seniors should encourage them to ask questions about their concerns and then listen closely to what the physician says. An easy way to facilitate this is for seniors to take a list of questions to each appointment, along with a notebook and pen for taking notes. Asking the doctor for follow-up instructions in writing is a good idea as well.

When seeing a new physician for the first time, seniors should also take their medical history—a list of current medications, allergies, past illnesses, surgeries and names of other physicians whom they see.

If a physician or family members realize that a senior isn’t comprehending the doctor’s communications, it’s time for someone to accompany him or her to future appointments. If that’s not possible, the senior should designate a family member to contact and talk with the physician or nurse afterward.

Care.com, a website for caregiver support, tells the story of an adult daughter whose parents resented her involvement in their health care issues even though her assistance was definitely needed. She continued to go with them to doctor appointments, but she began emailing the physician beforehand about any current health care concerns. That way, she could “take a back seat” at the appointment while the physician was aware of concerns that her parents might not voice.

Seniors might want to give their doctor’s offices the name of one family member designated to receive information on their medical condition, which could then be relayed to the rest of the family. They could also give each of their physicians a copy of legal documentation appointing their health care proxy (a person authorized to represent another person). A doctor would then know who is responsible for making health care decisions if the senior is unable.

If you’re looking for a Pennsylvania or Maryland retirement home where your senior loved one will receive personal, compassionate care every day, please contact us to learn more about Country Meadows. We invite you to tour any of our retirement communities in Pennsylvania (Lancaster, York, Harrisburg, Allentown, Pittsburgh plus five more locations) or Frederick, Maryland. Our services encompass senior independent living, personal care or assisted living, memory support and restorative services. Whatever your needs, we offer a comfortable senior community with activities that energize the mind, body and spirit.


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