It is normal for your loved one to assist a family member who has dementia or Alzheimer’s. As a guardian or someone who provides care, you want to ask the physician a lot of questions regarding things. You might want to follow these tips from ophthalmologists to get the most out of medical appointments:
● Schedule smart by booking an appointment at a convenient time for your loved one or when the doctor’s office is least crowded. If the person is dealing with multiple issues, you might want to book more visits than doing it all at once. It is better to get through detail and take time per issue than rushing it on one visit.
● Be prepared with the issues you want to address with the doctor. It is a good idea to make a list of the medications they take including supplements and over-the-counter medications.
● Put a piece of paper and pen in your bag. You can use it in taking down information and important notes from the doctor. You can also record the conversation just in case you want to listen to it later on.
● If there is something unclear or you do not understand, do not hesitate to ask for clarification.
What Are the Questions You Might Want to Ask Your Ophthalmologist?
Your ophthalmologist will ask you questions about symptoms and behaviors. You should be ready to answer questions specifically. As someone who takes care of someone with Alzheimer’s and dementia, you may be asked if you noticed any changes in their health as well as vision. If there is, when did the changes begin?
If an ophthalmologist prescribed a medication, ask the exact time it should be taken. Ask for the dose how many times it will be taken a day. You need to ask why the medication is prescribed. Take note of the side effects that might occur.
Tips From the Alzheimer’s Association on Effective Communication
It is important to know how to communicate appropriately to Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients so they can understand you. These are some tips on how to communicate with compassion:
● Give a short and one-sentence explanation.
● Give plenty of time for comprehension.
● Repeat sentences and instructions the exact same way.
● Do not use “but”. You can use “nevertheless”.
● Do not force them to listen to you. You can try again later.
