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Dementia Care: Preparing for Your Loved One’s Medical Appointments

As we age, our health becomes increasingly important and it seems we go to the doctor more and more often. For people with dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease, regular medical attention is required in order to address health, behavioral and other issues that spring up. If you’re a caregiver for a loved one with dementia, you probably already know that doctor’s appointments are a big chunk of your regularly scheduled life. You also know how important it is to make each of those appointments count and get the information you and your loved one need in the most concise, organized way possible.

“Effective communication is essential for yourself, your family and your loved one’s doctor in order to make sure the individual with dementia is getting the best treatment possible,” says Chrissy Ross, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee. “One of the best ways to ensure this happens is by being prepared and organized for medical appointments. By having a routine in place every time you visit a medical professional, it will be easier to stay on top of your loved one’s care – and a lot less stressful for everyone involved!”

There are three parts to having a successful medical appointment: things you plan before the appointment, what happens during the appointment and what you do after the appointment.

Before an Appointment

Ask any chef (or painter, or technician), and they’ll tell you that your prep work will end up taking the most time – but it ensures that the actual task goes smoothly and quickly. It’s no different when you plan a doctor’s appointment for your loved one with dementia. When done properly, the prep work you do before the appointment will take the most time, but will pay off greatly on the actual day. Here are some steps to follow.

Work with the doctor’s office. When you’re making an appointment for your loved one, let the office staff know about the situation and ask for appropriate accommodation for your loved one’s needs. Double-check to make sure all insurance and other information is up-to-date in their system, and do as much up-front work as you can (filling out paperwork, etc.) before the day of the appointment.

Prepare your parent. Depending on your loved one’s cognitive abilities, you may want to let them know about the appointment in advance – or you may not want to mention it until the day of, if even at all. It’s possible that your loved one may not require an advance explanation (which can be good if he or she has had anxiety or other difficulties in the past when visiting the doctor). If your loved one is in the early stages, it’s best to make sure he or she is as involved in care decisions as much as possible.

Prepare yourself. Make a list of everything you want and need to address with the doctor so you don’t forget anything important. Be sure to put together a current list of medications your loved one takes, even supplements or OTC medications. Here’s a checklist put together by the Mayo Clinic that can be a starting point for addressing topics and issues.

Medication: side effects and drug interactions; whether there are issues getting your loved one to take their medication; whether or not the prescribed medications are working

Nutrition: weight gain or loss; eating habits

Hearing: hearing loss, hearing aid function; background noise difficulties

Vision: glasses; cataracts; safety at night; proper lighting

Sleep: waking at night; sleepiness during the day

Overall safety: wandering; fall risks, hazards around the home

Challenging behaviors: sundowning, aggression, agitation, withdrawing

Pack a “go bag.” Doctors are notorious for running late, and difficulties can pop up no matter what. Be prepared for accidents, boredom, hunger and everything else by putting together a “go bag” to take with you. Pack it with games, snacks and water, baby wipes, a change of clothes and anything else your loved one or you might need.

During the Appointment

Once you’re at the appointment, your goal is to get in and out as smoothly and quickly as possible while getting the most helpful information you can.

Be prepared to answer questions. The aforementioned Mayo Clinic checklist will come in handy during the appointment, as the doctor will certainly ask you questions about your loved one’s health and any issues you’ve noticed. Having a written list on hand will help you be concise and provide any details you might forget if you’re answering off-the-cuff.

Ask questions yourself. If there’s something you’re concerned about with your loved one, ask. If you don’t understand what the doctor’s directions are, ask. If something the doctor says to you isn’t sitting right, get a second opinion. Don’t be afraid to share your point of view and advocate for your loved one. Remember, you are with him or her every day and know them better than anyone else.

Have the doctor write things down. This is a lot easier these days with electronic records, but just to be sure, have the doctor write down instructions and get copies to distribute to family members. Sometimes knowing exactly what prescriptions or conditions your loved one has will help you research on your own and gain more understanding about treatment options.

Take notes. Bring a notebook, tap notes on your phone or even record the conversation so you can listen to it again at your leisure. You may also wish to have another person come to the appointment with you to take notes so you can listen and be present in the conversation.

After the Appointment

Christy Turner, founder of DementiaSherpa.com, says that doing something nice with your loved one after the appointment is essential – that way, the experience is associated with as much pleasure and good stuff as possible. “Although your parent or partner later may not recall exactly what happened … they’ll have a feeling about what happened and you want it to be a positive one,” she writes. So pick something your loved one really likes, like a dessert they don’t get often, or a trip to the park to feed the ducks. If your loved one is worn out from the appointment, go home, have them take a nap and then go out for a treat.

Finally, as you’re preparing for your loved one’s doctors’ appointments, don’t forget to take care of yourself as well. “Dementia is a disease that doesn’t just affect the individual; it also affects caregivers in many real ways,” says Chrissy “So while you’re taking care of your loved one’s health needs, be sure to give yourself the same loving care. At Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee, we respect family caregivers and are always available to help or advise in any way we can. It takes a village to care for someone with dementia, and we’re honored to be your support.”

Peace of Mind for Cape Cod Seniors and Their Families

Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee provides assisted living memory care that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia or memory impairment, we’ve created a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity and individual preferences. Our memory care professionals receive specialized and ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents each and every day.

Age in Place

While many memory care assisted living communities are unable to care for those whose memory loss has progressed, Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee can continue to provide a home and care no matter the stage. Our age in place philosophy helps residents avoid the stress often associated with moving to another community and offers peace of mind to their families. Perhaps the best benefit, your loved one remains in the care of those they’ve grown to know and trust.

Supportive, Engaging Services

At Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee, we offer a program of care and services that celebrates life and supports individual strengths. Our compassionate and engaging approach adapts to the unique challenges and individuality of each resident. No matter what stage of memory loss a resident may be experiencing, families can be sure their loved one will receive a full array of services and a high level of personalized attention.

Contact us today to learn more.

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