Caregiving Corner: Four tips to help caregivers to get through the doctor visits

By Medicine Hat News on May 11, 2018.

I’ve heard professionals say their patient hears only about 30 per cent of what is said when first told about their life changing condition. Your role as a caregiver is vitally important in supporting your loved one, and you, get the most out of appointments with the doctor.

Learn as much as possible about the illness/disease/disability of your loved one.You or your loved one can do this or ask a family member or friend to help. Use only credible websites and resources and be mindful of information that doesn’t matter or isn’t true. You may find information about new drugs and treatments that you can ask the doctor about at the next appointment. I found most doctors were willing to discuss the research as long as their opinion wasn’t being second-guessed.

It’s normal for caregivers to have questions that their loved one doesn’t think of, or approve of, being asked at the doctor appointment. To help relieve some stress around whether or not these questions can be asked, make a list of the question and discuss them with your loved one a few days before the appointment. Your loved one won’t be caught by surprise in a doctor’s appointment and end up asking many of the questions on their own.

Type up your questions, print them and give a copy to the nurse and/or doctor just prior to the appointment if possible. It gives them time to check into things the information you are asking about.

Take notebook and a pen to the doctor appointment to write down as much as you can about what the doctor says to your loved one. This can help settle arguments between your loved one and you.

There is a lot to process when you find out a loved one is seriously ill or disabled.Your brain will protect you and it’s important to know that you might not fully hear or comprehend all that is said in a doctor appointment.The best thing you can do is be prepared. It will help your concentration and build a better relationship with the person for whom you are caring.In the long run, it decreases your stress and might even save you some time.

Lorna Scott is a caregiver strategist, a member of the Caregiver Coalition of Southeast Alberta and The Caregiver’s Lighthouse; and is author of the best selling book “Walking the Journey Together É Alone.” She may be contacted at Lorna@TheCaregiversLighthouse.com or 403-548-8437

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