Evaluate the Responsiveness of Your Care Providers

No matter how well you communicate, you likely won't get a positive response if you're working with a care provider who won't listen. Think about how comfortable you are with your care provider and how responsive they are when you contact them. If they seem uninterested in your concerns or are difficult to contact, consider switching to a new provider.

Write a List of Questions and Concerns

Questions and concerns might pop up in your head randomly as you go about your day. At the time, you might think you'll ask your doctor about them at your next appointment. However, it's easy to forget those thoughts during your appointment. There's often a flurry of activities going on around you at that time.

Writing a list of topics you want to discuss with your doctor helps you remember them all. It can also help keep your appointment on topic and ensure you get all the information you need. Include any new issues you've noticed, such as insomnia, which is common in seniors, or numbness in your extremities. As you write your list, leave some room to jot down notes based on what the doctor says.

Account for Communication Barriers

Difficulty hearing or speaking can interfere with getting the information you need from your doctor. Take steps to remove those barriers if possible. For example, ensure you wear your hearing aids and that they're functioning well during the appointment. Wearing your glasses or bringing a magnifying device can help you read printed materials clearly.

You might also have difficulty communicating if English isn't your (or your doctor's) first language. Bringing an interpreter along for the appointment can help if you use sign language or speak another language. If you have trouble understanding your doctor's speech, don't be shy about asking them to repeat or write down instructions or to rephrase to make their meaning clear.

Bring Someone With You

If you often feel overwhelmed at a doctor's appointment, ask a friend, family member or neighbor from LifeStream at North Phoenix to go with you. Having someone you trust could help put you at ease, and you have another person to help you navigate the hospital or clinic.

That person can also help with communication. You might ask them to take notes so you can focus on the conversation. Your companion might think of additional questions that help you get more information on the topic. If you find it challenging to advocate for yourself, choose someone who isn't afraid to speak up. They can step in if your doctor is dismissing your concerns.

Record Your Appointment

Even routine doctor's visits can come with lots of information. You may think you'll remember everything, but you might not recall as much as you thought. Recording the appointment allows you to capture everything the doctor says. That way, you can listen to it later to hear all the details. You can take notes during the appointment as well, but this could be distracting.

Ask Lots of Questions

Coming into the appointment with a list of questions guides the conversation, but you'll likely have additional questions pop up during the discussion. Don't be afraid to speak up and ask those questions as soon as you have them. It's your right to have a clear understanding of the doctor's recommendations and treatment plans. For example, if your doctor prescribes a new medication, you might ask questions about the side effects.

Discuss Overall Health, Not Just Medical Conditions

Many doctor's appointments focus on specific chronic conditions or health concerns. Of course, you want to discuss those situations fully. However, it's also helpful to talk about your health in general and preventive steps you can take to prevent additional medical conditions.

This type of discussion might include nutrition and vitamins you might be missing in your diet. Or it could center around preventing a disease that runs in your family. These discussions help you maintain your wellness.

Ensure All Medical Providers Have All Necessary Information

If you see multiple care providers, keep everyone updated on the treatments and recommendations you receive. For example, you might try alternative medicine options for seniors to support your wellness. However, it's important to make sure those alternative treatments are compatible with medications and treatments you receive from your primary care physician.

Be Assertive When Necessary

It's important to stay calm during a doctor's appointment, but you may need to be assertive if the provider isn't listening. For instance, if you have concerns about your heart health but your primary doctor won't refer you to a cardiologist, you may need to be assertive as you push for the referral.

Get a Second Opinion

Even with the best communication on your part, some doctors may not give you the answers you want. Your doctor might insist there's only one treatment option for an ailment, for example. If you don't feel comfortable with the care provider, schedule an appointment with a new provider for a second opinion.

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