Navigating medical care for your aging parent is no easy task. However, effective communication with their healthcare team is key to ensuring they receive the best care possible. Talking to your parents’ doctor allows you to better understand their health, clarify concerns, advocate for their needs, and determine what resources are needed. Let’s consider eight essential tips for engaging with your parent’s doctor to make these conversations as productive as possible.
8 Tips for Communicating with Your Parent’s Doctor
1. Understand the importance of power of attorney
Before approaching any medical discussions, it’s wise to establish whether your parent has designated a durable power of attorney or a medical power of attorney. These legal documents allow a trusted individual, most often a family member, to make financial or healthcare decisions on behalf of your parent if they are unable to do so themselves. With a medical power of attorney, you’ll have access to crucial medical details and decision-making authority, which can streamline communications with your parent’s doctor.
2. Attend a doctor’s appointment
Start by accompanying your parent to one of their medical appointments. Use this opportunity to listen and observe. While it may not be the time to bring up your concerns, attending in person demonstrates your willingness to collaborate with their healthcare provider. This is a great way to begin building trust with the doctor. It also allows you to gain insight into your parent’s health and the care they’re receiving, so you can better support them moving forward.
3. Prepare questions in advance
If there are specific areas of your parent’s health you are concerned about, come prepared with a list of questions to ask your elderly parent’s doctor. Examples include:
- How is their physical and mental health?
- Are they safe living alone or driving?
- Are there lifestyle changes they should consider?
Sending the questions ahead of time also gives the doctor the chance to address them efficiently.
4. Designate one family spokesperson
Doctors and other healthcare professionals often have a limited amount of time, so it is ideal to designate one family member as the primary point of contact. This person will be responsible for relaying information to other family members and keeping the lines of communication clear. By having a single point of contact, it helps reduce confusion and ensures everyone stays informed without overwhelming the medical team.
5. Share relevant medical information
Help your parent’s doctor provide better care by bringing along detailed records to every appointment. This should include a list of medications (including dosages and frequency), recent surgeries, any alternative therapies your parent is using, and their current symptoms. Organizing these details in a small tote or folder that you can quickly grab before appointments makes the process seamless.
6. Be mindful of HIPAA laws
If you are not listed on your parent’s power of attorney, keep in mind that HIPAA laws protect their medical privacy. This means doctors cannot share certain information with you without your parent’s explicit consent. Understanding these limits will help prevent frustration and ensure you take the right steps to respectfully access the information you need.
7. Evaluate the healthcare team regularly
Pay attention to how your parent’s doctor and healthcare team interact with your family. If you notice communication issues, difficulty in reaching the doctor, or a lack of engagement during appointments, it may be time to reassess whether another provider could better meet your parent’s needs. A strong healthcare partnership is essential to ensuring your parent receives the best possible care and attention.
8. Foster collaboration between specialists
When your parent is seeing multiple providers, it’s easy for key information to slip through the cracks. Be proactive in making sure that doctors and specialists have accurate and up-to-date records, particularly when medications are prescribed by different physicians. This helps avoid conflicts and ensures all providers are on the same page. Keeping a detailed medical history can also be a valuable tool to share during appointments, ensuring nothing important is overlooked.
Get the help you need for your parents at The Arbors and the Ivy
Talking to your parents’ doctor may seem intimidating at first, but following these practical tips can ease the process and result in better care for your loved one. Whether it’s setting up a durable power of attorney, asking the right questions, or preparing medical records, these steps all contribute to a thoughtful and effective approach.
If you have more questions about supporting your parent’s health or think assisted living might be the next step, The Arbors and The Ivy Assisted Living Communities in MA and CT are here to help. Use our online contact form to learn more about how our team can assist you and your loved one in this important chapter.