Your loved one’s personal doctor is an important resource for ensuring the senior in your life feels happy and healthy for years to come. But there are many factors that go into ensuring an aging body is working its best. It can be hard for your loved one to know or remember everything they should talk to their doctor about, and some seniors may be unnecessarily concerned with overburdening their doctor. That’s where you come in! Fill in the blanks for the doctor and make sure your loved one is doing everything they need to do to have a bright future and long, healthy life.

What Are Their Current Prescriptions?

Over the course of a person’s lifetime, they can accumulate a number of prescriptions. Most doctors will regularly check in with patients to see what they are currently taking and whether each prescription is still necessary. But it’s still a good idea to discuss this info with their doctor. Not only can you shine a better light on everything they are currently taking, it’s good for you to have this knowledge in case of an emergency. Should your loved one require a trip to the emergency room, the staff on duty will want a detailed list of all your loved one’s medications.

Are There Any Risks of Bad Interactions?

While your loved one’s doctor will know if any of the prescriptions they have provided have an interaction risk, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements won’t necessarily be on their radar and can have the potential to interact with your loved one’s prescribed medicines. Since these drugs are unregulated, it can be easy to forget your loved one is even taking them, but it’s important that your doctor know every pill or supplement your loved one is swallowing.

If your loved one is seeing more than one physician who is prescribing medication, it’s also essential that both doctors know about everything your loved one is taking, both over-the-counter and prescribed.

Are They Getting the Right Nutrition?

Your loved one’s doctor can tell you what types of nutrition are essential for a person of their age, as well as specific needs related to your loved one’s current health and physical condition. Compare this information with your knowledge of the foods your loved one eats at home or what is prepared for them at their senior living community. You may need to ask the community to prepare a specific diet. This is also a good time to ask about nutritional supplements and vitamins that might benefit your loved one.

Are There Any Additional Tests My Loved One Might Benefit From?

Your loved one’s doctor will likely ask for any tests they believe are needed for their current situation, but they won’t always be thinking ahead to what your loved one will need for the future. This is where you come in. Talk to the doctor about any long-term health concerns and what tests can be done now to help them prepare for the road ahead.

Share Your Own Concerns

Because your loved one’s doctor isn’t always around, there can be important cues they are unaware of. Be sure to share any observations you have made with the doctor, both physical and mental. Pinpointing future mobility, dietary, or cognitive issues early can help you put a treatment plan in place before these issues become a concern.

For more tips on helping your senior loved one live a healthy, happy life, visit the Brightwater Senior Living blog.