Questions to Ask When Talking with Your Loved One's Doctor

By Lois Thompson

If you are attending a doctor's appointment with your loved one, it is important to prepare ahead of time to make sure you receive answers to all questions or concerns. Aside from general questions about medications or tests, here are a few you may want to ask, depending on your loved one's situation or challenges:

Is my parent at risk of falling? Along with hazards of loose rugs or obstacles in well-traveled areas, falls can occur as a result of heart conditions, decreased strength, or poor balance. Ask your physician if any of these could be a factor.
What exercises are good for increasing balance and coordination? Because seniors are at high risk of falling, your doctor may be able to recommend exercises that can help with balance.
Is any type of therapy – whether physical, occupational, or speech – appropriate? Therapy services can often be beneficial to seniors of all capacities.
Are my loved one's screening tests up to date? Annual or regular exams such as mammograms, colonoscopies, cholesterol tests, cancer screenings, are important, as are first-time tests such as for Alzheimer's disease; however, some doctors won't order them unless asked to do so. The tests are important, though, because they may catch problems before they become serious.
Are my loved one's health problems chronic? Chronic problems cannot be cured, but if the answer is yes, different treatments, lifestyle changes, or medications may be able to help, or at least prevent the symptoms from becoming worse.
What can I do to help my parent stay mentally healthy? The doctor may be able to suggest methods for staying emotionally strong, such as increased social interaction and regular cognitive exercise, or may prescribe medications that can lower the risk of developing such disorders.
What would you recommend if this was your parent?