Aging involves changes in health, physical ability, and medical risks. On average, older adults in the US tend to be in a healthcare setting about 17 days a year. Given how common (and often necessary) it is for seniors to interact with doctors, it is important to help seniors navigate doctor visits well.
A Start-to-Finish Doctor Visit Checklist
For many seniors, doctor’s visits are stressful. Use this checklist to help ease anxiety.
- Arrange transportation to and from appointments
- Identify whether or not a companion is necessary for the visit
- Check if the appointment or associated tests require seniors to contact their insurance company ahead of time for pre-certification or other purposes
- Pack everything needed for a successful appointment:
- Insurance cards
- Photo ID
- Payment for co-pays or other charges
- Contact information for other doctors
- List of current medications
- List of allergies/medical conditions
- Medical records, if needed
- A list of questions for the doctor
- A notepad or device for note-taking
- Verify at checkout after the appointment:
- If further testing or labs are required
- When new prescriptions should be picked up
- If there are instructions or treatment notes seniors can take home with them
- When follow-up appointments are scheduled
- If any payment is due