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Caregiver's Handbook 14
Table 8
Daily Medication Set-up
- Time of Day Medication is given, AM + PM -
List all Medications for Each Time
Morning
Noon
Evening
Bed Time
32. Choosing a Doctor
If you don't have a doctor, choose one carefully. There are several referral sources you can utilize:
1) a friend who is satisfied with his/her physician for a referral;
2) your County Medical Society;
3) Physician Referral Service;
4) A neighborhood hospital (some offer a physician referral service.)
The doctor is a valuable resource. If you are having a difficult time managing your care-receiver at home, or an acute illness occurs, the doctor may assist with related health care concerns. Your care-receiver may have to be hospitalized. The doctor may assist by making a home health care referral. Once hospitalized, the doctor can assist in placement issues or home health care upon discharge. If he/she doesn't offer it, you may request it.
If you are dissatisfied with your doctor, consider:
1. What do you want from your doctor?
2. Are these wants realistic (e.g., cure of an incurable disease)?
3. Have you discussed them with your doctor and/or staff?
4. Do you have a primary physician (usually internist or family practitioner) who oversees your overall medical care? (Often, sub-specialists such as cardiologists or orthopedists focus on one organ system, and do not try to coordinate the patient care.)
5. Do you keep your appointments?
6. Do you take medications as prescribed, contact the doctor if you change, and discuss your concerns with him/her?
Remember, physicians are human beings, with individual personalities, enormous responsibilities, and only 24 hours in one day. No doctor will be right for all patients. Find a doctor whose skills and style of practice suits your current needs. All patients should have one physician to coordinate their care. Frequently changing doctors is likely to result in poor quality care of chronic or complex problems.
Older individuals with multiple medical problems or difficulties with memory or intellectual functions may benefit from a comprehensive geriatric assessment program. (This guide identified one program in the San Diego area as the UCSD Seniors Only Care Program (SOCARE). Your physician or local Area Agency on Aging may have information on comparable programs in your community.)
Arranging the Doctor Appointment. Some questions to ask when you make a first appointment:
__ What are the office hours?
__ How are the bills handled?
__ Who will answer my questions if the doctor is unavailable?
__ How does the office handle emergencies?
__ How is co-payment handled?
__ What hospitals does he/she go to?
On the first visit to the doctor, the patient's list of current medications (Table 4) and previous medical records should be given to the doctor. If the visit is for a specific problem, have the following information for the doctor:
1) the symptoms,
2) how long they have been present,
3) how often they happen, how bad they are.
Reviewing this information before the visit will help. And remember, it is important that the patient have a chance to visit with the doctor privately to discuss confidential information. Before leaving the doctor's office, meet with the doctor or the nurse to find out how you can help with treatment and what your role as caregiver should be.
It is useful to look at the following three areas:
1) What can be done now to help in the treatment of current medical problems,
2) How to recognize problems that may arise,
3) What to do in emergencies.
Planning For Emergencies
Having an emergency plan is important, especially when a substitute caregiver occasionally takes your place in the home. (Post phone numbers for the following agencies next to your telephone or a conspicuous place where they can easily be seen by anyone. This sentence modified for readers outside San Diego County.)
1) The 911 number for emergencies (Medical, Fire or Police),
2) The physician's number (emergency and office number),
3) The name and number of the hospital the physician and the patient prefer,
4) The number of the home health agency, if one is currently making visits to the home,
5) The Poison Center phone number,
6) The 24-hour number of the medical or oxygen supplier, if one is being used,
7) The telephone number where you (caregiver) can be reached.
Remember, observe changes and signs of illness in the care-receiver. They can help detect a medical problem. But if any doubts about health arise, CALL THE DOCTOR FOR ADVICE; DO NOT PROCRATINATE!
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To Caregiver's Handbook Page 15
To Caregiver's Handbook Table of Contents
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Questions or comments? John Cottingham is the author of this site.
