Health Professionals, Patients, and Caregivers
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2003-09-01 00:00:00-04:00
Health Professionals, Patients and Caregivers
Regular contact with the medical community and caring for an older parent go hand-in hand. Talking regularly with doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, social workers and other health professionals is critical to making medical decisions, getting the best results and gaining peace of mind. While potential barriers exist, talking with health professionals boils down to three things:
- Ask the right questions to get the information your parent and you need to make decisions,
- Give health professionals the information they need about your parent to make informed judgments, and
- Get the information, services and quality care your parent deserves.
It is critical to respect your parents' wishes about how much they want to communicate with health professionals and how much they want to tell you about their health. You may want to talk with them about the importance of communication for safe and effective care. Your parents may want you to know about their health but may be unable or unwilling to talk directly to the doctor. With their permission, you can talk with their doctor or nurse yourself. Whether your parents are going to the doctor without you or you go with them,
- Ask questions.
Many people come to the doctor with a list of questions and concerns on paper and/or bring a tape recorder for capturing the answers.
- Give information.
The doctor needs information about a patient to make proper diagnoses and prescribe safe and effective treatment.
In addition to the doctor, it's important that your parents and you also talk to other health professionals.
- Nurses are trained in patient education and counseling. They can explain a diagnosis and teach patients how to follow treatment, measure blood pressure at home, and how to give themselves injections.
- Pharmacists are the drug experts. They can answer questions about how to use a medicine properly. Some offer broader counseling and assistance.
- Social workers can help people navigate the medical care and social service systems.
- Dietitians can provide information on meal planning, cooking for one, and special meal plans for various medical conditions.
As caregiver, you can take steps to help with your parents' medical care.
Do your own research.
Bookstores, libraries, volunteer health organizations and the Internet have a wealth of materials that can make you and your parent more informed partners in treatment.
Advocate for your parents' interests.
Health professionals have the medical expertise you need but the service, attention and quality of care required don't always come automatically. You or your parent must often take an active role in getting the best service.
Use legal tools.
Legal documents called advance directives are an effective, binding way to communicate a patient's wishes to health professionals and hospitals.
Be a team player.
Just as you and your parent deserve respect, so do the health professionals with whom you interact. No matter how frustrating a situation becomes, you are more likely to get what your parent needs if you remain constructive, polite, and involved.
Communicating with health professionals is an ongoing process for those who are providing care for older friends or relatives. Taking care to ask the right questions, share information with health professionals, and seek other sources of information are important steps toward getting the quality of care that your older loved ones deserve.
AARP Resources
How to Talk to Your Doctor
A good relationship with the doctor, including how well you talk with each other, affects care. This articles offers a list of questions to help you get the most from a doctor's visit.
Making Medical Decisions in Advance
An article that explains the various types of advance directives.
Finding Good Health Information Online
How to evaluate information found on the Internet.
Additional Resources
Healthfinder.gov
The government's guide to reliable health information.
National Council on Patient Information and Education
Learn what questions to ask when taking medicines and how to use them safely.
Family Caregiver Alliance
Offers information, education, and support to caregiver families.
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