Receiving sound advice and treatment from a primary care physician can boost mental, physical, and emotional health and stave off various age-related conditions. However, many seniors fail to ask their doctors the right questions, and they may leave out essential information related to their daily lives. Continue reading to learn what concerns your elderly parent should address when visiting a medical provider.
Sleep Problems
Seniors should bring up anything related to their sleeping patterns or it may be skipped over during the appointment. Your parent should let the doctor know if he or she is having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep during the night. These problems could be a sign of kidney disease, depression, diabetes, heart disease, or respiratory issues. If your loved one voices these concerns during doctor visits, the physician can try to figure out the cause and develop a treatment plan. Your loved one’s primary care physician may recommend seeing a specialist for further testing.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional home care. Pearland families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Memory Impairment
If your parent has difficulty remembering things (aside from occasionally misplacing the remote control or house keys), he or she should share these concerns with the physician. The doctor could administer tests to determine if the confusion and forgetfulness are minor issues or warning signs of a condition such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. If your parent doesn’t share these details, his or her memory problems could worsen. Attend some of the doctor visits to make sure your loved one is forthcoming about any memory problems or cognitive impairment.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional home care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Aches & Pains
Seniors should never ignore joint pain and mobility issues. These aches and pains could be a warning sign of something more severe, such as an infection, a sprain, dehydration, or chronic stress. When visiting the doctor, your loved one should speak about these ailments and seek treatment. The primary care physician could prescribe medicine to cure an infection, preserve brain cells, or boost mental health, which could also reduce aches and pains.
Alcohol & Substance Use
It’s critical for your loved one to share every medication he or she is currently taking, even over-the-counter medicines. If your loved one consumes alcohol regularly, he or she needs to disclose this information to the doctor. Your loved one should also inform the physician about any history of substance abuse or addiction. Being honest with the doctor could reduce the risk of receiving prescriptions for medicine that triggers bad habits or prevents a treatment plan from working effectively. Remind your loved one that the doctor won’t judge him or her for past mistakes. The doctor is there to ensure your loved one receives high-quality treatment that could boost his or her wellbeing in the senior years.
If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a Pearland home care agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we guarantee all of our in-home care services. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you and your family.
