Tips on Medical Visits with Alzheimers Patients:
When you are the caregiver of a loved one with Alzheimers or dementia, one of your responsibilities will likely be to take your loved one on medical visits and to make sure they are getting the care that they are looking for. However, handling medical visits with individuals with dementia can sometimes be a challenge. Here are some tips on handling medical visits with individuals with Alzheimers disease:
- Always make sure that a family member or a caregiver is accompanying the individual with dementia to their doctors appointments, even if the individual is in the earlier stages of the disease. This is a great way to make sure that no information is being missed or forgotten.
- Communicate directly with the health care provider about the history of symptoms and other concerns as the individual with dementia may have impaired memory or communication skills that can prevent them from communicating effectively.
- Ask about side effects regarding any new treatments or medications so that you can be prepared to handle any changes in mood or behavior and be aware of any potential adverse effects.
- Make sure you keep a record of any physical complaints that your loved one has had between their visits such as local pain, shortness of breath or other conditions. This way by the time you visit your health care provider you can provide them with detailed insight on what is really going on with your loved one.
- Bring a list with all of the medication your loved one is taking, including all of their prescriptions and any over-the-counter drugs they are taking so that your health care provider can determine if any changes need to be made.
- Create a list of questions regarding your loved one and the progression of their disease that your or other family members may have.
- Ask for recommendations from your health care provider about treatments, communication or living arrangements.