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Despite the several checks and balances that are in place across our healthcare system, the fact remains that ensuring a strong continuum of care for your family member, parent or spouse is an important responsibility for every caregiver.
Learn more about being involved with your loved one’s healthcare in a compassionate and loving way.
The term “continuum of care” refers to a comprehensive health system that offers a wide variety of medical services across different levels and intensities of care. Ideally, a strong continuum of care will guide patients through the healthcare system, ensuring that communication is open between different types of health care providers (including family doctors, nurses, nursing homes, pharmacists and surgeons).
Our advisors help 300,000 families each year find the right senior care for their loved ones.
The reality, however, is that not all patients are cooperative when it comes to sharing medical information with caregivers. As A Place for Mom’s Sally Abrahms reports, “there are many parents who are less enthusiastic — downright antagonistic — when their adult child asks to go to appointments or talk to their doctor. ‘Stop butting in, I’m fine!’ they say. They may not be fine, though. They may be missing medication, ‘forgetting’ to report symptoms or conditions, or start to fail in other ways.”
If this situation sounds familiar, then you’ll need to tread carefully to ensure that your parents know you are worried, and simply want to help.
“I encourage the patient to think of themselves as the CEO of the health team,” Dr. Heather Whitson, a geriatrician and researcher at the Duke University Aging Center tells Abrahms.
“As the doctor, I’m a member, and so may be the home health aide or the family or a geriatric care manager. I welcome the input of others. A broader support network is always a good thing.”
Assuming your family member or parent allows you to come to doctor’s visits, the second challenge you’ll encounter is how to communicate with the doctor and health care team. Here’s what you need to ask, have and know:
If you can’t be there, don’t worry. There are a number of different health care professionals you can hire to help ensure your parent is well-taken care of as they navigate the health care system, including:
Ultimately, if your doctor or a member of your loved one’s medical team isn’t forthcoming when it comes to sharing information with other medical professionals, your parent, or with yourself (assuming permission has been granted) then don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion or seek a different doctor.
What advice would you add when communicating with your parent’s doctor? We’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments below.
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