Why Seniors with Family Living Far Away Should Use a Cell Phone for Medical Visits

Elderly seniors with a memory lapse should never visit a doctor alone.They usually will not remember to inform the doctor about recent physical or mental symptoms or what other medications they are taking. This lack of communication could be detrimental to their health or end up being fatal.

Physicians usually ask how seniors are feeling and if their symptoms are better or worse. They will want to know if the prescribed pills had ill effects. Usually, an elderly senior with a memory lapse, will tell the doctor what they 'think' a doctor wants to know. Generally, it is not the truth, but how is the doctor to know? The office visit is over!

Elderly seniors with a memory lapse, should not visit a doctor alone. They could easily forget to tell their doctor they are also under the care of another physician-for a similar condition. Double dosing of medication can be fatal.

Another reason why seniors, who have an occasional memory lapse, should not visit their doctor by themselves. After the office visit is over the senior walks out the door. Some forget what they were told by the doctor or the advice the doctor gave them about their medications.

I have a friend who has this memory lapse problem. She forgets from one minute to the next. When we talk on the telephone she asks the same question in a matter of seconds. She visits three doctors on the same day. Her aide takes her but is not allowed inside the office. None of the doctors are aware of each other. They never asked and were never told! There is no way to know if the medication itself is causing her medical condition.

What should an elderly senior with a memory lapse do before a visit a doctor?

1. The day before the visit, make a list of all facts pertaining to the condition. This includes: how you are feeling, if the medication is helping, if you are in pain and if there are new symptoms or other side effects?

2. Hand the paper to the doctor when visiting the doctor alone. Before you leave ask the physician to write down what he had told you. This is especially important if he changed the medication or course of treatment. Find out why, how often and how long to take it, and whether it should be taken with or without food.

3. If possible, elderly seniors with a memory lapse take someone with them. Seniors who are forgetful should not visit a doctor alone. If a family member is not available, a concerned neighbor or friend will do.

4. Write a letter to the doctor giving permission for a specific person to sit in the examining room with you. Hand this letter to the physician before the examination.

5. If a family member lives in another state, make plans to have a 'cell phone' visit between them and doctor. This will allow the family to hear what the doctor is saying during the examination. Physicians understand that elderly seniors with a memory lapse should not visit a doctor alone.

What Should All Seniors Do Be Aware of When Treated By a Doctor?

1. Never take medications without asking the physician why the medication is being prescribed. Inquire about any side effects, and if a less potent medicine do?

2. If you still have concerns about the medication, do not have it filled at the pharmacy right away. Go home and search the Internet for name of the medication. If you have concerns about taking it do not. Talk to the doctor again. Doctors only know side effects of medication by what they are told by the drug companies.

3. Keep in mind that each doctor treats multiple patients and can easily forget each patients medical concerns. You have only one patient to take care of - you! If you are allergic, in any way, to a drug being prescribed, do not take it and tell the doctor why.

4. If you have a valid reason for being treated by more than one doctor, make sure that each physician is informed of all the medications, you are presently taking.

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Source

My own experience and knowledge