If you are a caregiver for a senior loved one that needs help getting to medical appointments, you know that sometimes it can be tough to get them to and from the doctor. If the weather is bad, or if your senior loved one has an illness like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s that make it a challenge for them to walk long distances or sit for long periods, you may be looking for ways to make the experience easier for both of you. Some ways that you can streamline the process of taking your senior loved one to the doctor and still make sure they get great care are:
Get Help
No caregiver is an island. Everyone needs help sometimes. A home care assistance provider can help your senior loved one with their personal care, getting dressed, and getting ready to go outside. It can save you a lot of time and effort to have a home care assistance provider take care of getting your senior loved one ready to head to the appointment so that you can focus on getting yourself ready. A home care assistance provider can also take over after the appointment to make sure that your senior loved one is well taken care of after the doctor’s appointment.
Keep A Trip Bag In Your Car
If you’re trying to pack an outing back for your senior loved one every time that you need to take them to the doctor you will inevitably forget something. It’s easier to pack a trip back once and keep it in your car all the time. Just replace any items that you use immediately after you use them so that the bag is always complete. Your trip back should contain things like baby wipes, hand sanitizer, extra incontinence pads or underwear if your senior loved one needs them, an extra set of clothes for them, clean socks for them, and other items that you might need in an emergency. Also make sure there are snacks and water in there.
Ask For Any Special Accommodations In Advance
If your senior loved one needs a walker, a wheelchair, or any kind of special accommodations to either get to the appointment or to use during the appointment call ahead and make those arrangements with the doctor’s office. Don’t wait until you get there are and trying to check in. That will just hold up the appointment and equipment that you need may not be available. You should also ask if it’s possible to check in from your phone or streamline the check in process for your loved one. Not all doctors will have wheelchairs, walkers, or other equipment available but usually if they do have it they are happy to help your senior loved one while they are at the office by loaning any medical devices they need.
