by Pam Ness
Accompanying a loved one to senior medical appointments can be a lengthy time commitment that includes many steps: commuting, parking, navigating a medical center to find the right office, waiting to register, sitting in the waiting room to be called into an examining room, waiting in the examining room for the doctor, the doctor’s visit/examination, waiting for labs to be taken, checking out, and then making one’s way back home. The experience can be exhausting for both the patient and their escort.
Having a “toolkit” of essential and comfort items can help make the experience easier and less stressful for both the caregiver and the patient:
- Health insurance card(s) or policy numbers
- List of all medications and supplements, or photos of medication bottle labels
- A list of questions for the doctor, with a notepad and pen for keeping track of what was discussed during the appointment and treatment plans.
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Hand sanitizer
- Reading material/crossword puzzle/fun smartphone apps/a tablet loaded with a movie or tv shows
- Light sweater or jacket for overly air-conditioned offices
- Calendar for scheduling future appointments
- Both cash and a credit card for parking or valet fees, as there are often restrictions on payment methods
- A downloaded map of the medical facility, if it is new or unfamiliar
It is also important to help the patient to stay hydrated before the appointment if laboratory testing will be done, as this makes blood-taking easier, and is helpful if urinalysis is required. Having the patient dress in comfortable and easy-to-manipulate clothing and shoes makes changing in and out of a gown less taxing.
Being prepared for a lengthy process helps make the appointment day more manageable when delays occur. On those lucky days when traffic is breezy, the doctor is running on time, and all test results are rosy, you will still appreciate the capable feeling that you’ve got all the bases covered!
