Tips to Navigate Doctor Visits with a Loved One with Dementia

Setting a doctor’s appointment for a loved one who is showing signs of dementia is a unique and often daunting experience for families. Where to begin? Who to call? What will the next steps be? How will my loved one deal with the diagnosis?

Start by setting up an appointment with your loved one’s general physician.

Your loved one’s GP is typically the one they are most comfortable visiting. They are equipped to begin the process of having them tested. Some may conduct the tests themselves or oversee the process conducted by a trained specialist. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, most trained physicians are able to provide an accurate diagnosis 90% of the time.

In advance of your initial visit:

• Call ahead. Inform them that you will be accompanying your loved one. They will let you know how much of the time you will be allowed to be in the room with your loved one. Some tests may need to be conducted without your presence. Knowing in advance will help you better prepare. Consider scheduling a call with the doctor before the appointment to share important information that could impact the exam but might be inappropriate or distressing to discuss in your loved one’s presence.
• Do your homework. Arm yourself with as much information as possible. Jot down notes as to what behavioral changes you have seen. You can use the Dementia Behavioral Assessment tool to help describe the changes to the physician.
• Complete all paperwork in advance. Most physicians’ offices now provide check-in paperwork online. Taking care of that in advance will make the visit less hectic.

The Alzheimer’s Association also recommends jotting down some questions to ask, which might include:

• What tests will be performed?
• What does each test involve?
• How long will the tests take?
• How long will it take to learn results?

On the day of your visit:

Harvard Health has published some good tips for optimizing your initial visit and making it less stressful on you and your loved one. We’ve paraphrased a few of them below:

• Final preparation. Walk your loved one through as much as you know about the process and make it clear that you may not have immediate results. Decide who will do most of the talking. Will it be your loved one, you or both of you? Deciding this in advance will make it easier to interact with the doctor.

6. Treat your loved one with respect. Choose your words and reactions carefully. Resist talking  down to them or referring to them in third person. Don’t criticize them, especially in the presence of the physician. Think of how you would want to be treated if your roles were reversed.
7. Take notes. The more notes, the better! Don’t be afraid to ask the physician to slow down to give you time to jot down their initial observations, advice, and instructions. And, be sure to get answers to the questions you jotted down in advance of the visit.

After a diagnosis of dementia has been made, the follow up begins.

Once a dementia diagnosis is made, the journey of care and support begins. This new chapter involves navigating various steps to ensure your loved one receives the best possible care. While it may feel overwhelming at first, breaking the process into manageable pieces can help you focus on what needs to be done and when.

In addition to continuing regular checkups with your loved one’s primary care physician, you may need to coordinate appointments with a team of specialists. These healthcare professionals might include any of the following: neurologists, neuropsychologists, therapists, and nurses, among others. Each plays an important role in assessing cognitive changes, developing personalized treatment plans, and addressing your loved one’s unique needs.

With the help of these experts, your family can better understand the progression of dementia and explore strategies to enhance your loved one’s quality of life. While it’s natural to feel uncertain at first, know that you are not alone—support and guidance are available every step of the way.

By following the tips above, those doctor visits will become less hectic and more routine as you and your loved one become acclimated to their care plan. Consider gaining access to your loved one’s patient portal. This will help you stay on track and organize doctor visits more easily.

Remember, too, to encourage and accept support from family members and close friends. Your loved one’s care journey is not one to take alone.

Feel free to reach out to any of our Anthem Memory Care communities as you begin this journey. We have resources to help you in all aspects of loving and caring for your loved one and, just as important, for yourself!