Doctors are there for us to trust, to listen to and to seek guidance from. However, what happens when they do not disclose everything that they should? You want to know what they are thinking, and what might happen to your parent regarding the care they should be receiving or their current condition. Sometimes, doctors might think that certain things are better left unsaid. This is not true in some case, because you’re seeking the best treatment possible. After all, these are your parents. Here are some things that your doctor might not tell you about your aging parent’s health.
- The Severity of the Issue:
When it comes to the severity of the issue that your aging parent might have, they might candy coat it. It might not be true for all providers, but with specific ones; they might just feel too bad to give a time limit that might be too close for comfort. Doctors are human and have compassion for their patients. Some doctors find it very difficult to deliver bad news to patients and may not initially want to reveal how severe the condition is.
- Other Medical Options:
If the doctor doesn’t feel like the patient would want to hear about other medical options, they might not recommend them or even mention them to you. This is something that you should seek out on your own. Seek second or third opinions, and consider all of the options depending on what your aging parent is going through. Ask lots of questions. Ask the doctor directly if there is any other medical options available.
- Patient May Not Understand What the Dr. Says:
It might not be a matter of what the doctor fails to communicate to the patient, but rather the patient may not understand what the doctor has said. They may not even remember everything that was said. This is a common thing that is happening with so many physicians and patients. Many times, the patients are confused by what the doctor is saying and do not fully understand the condition that they have. What the doctor says could be misinterpreted or important information may be missed. If this is true, please let them know that you need a better explanation of everything so you can completely understand what needs to be done and what this means for your aging parent’s future.
- Dr. Doesn’t Not Know Much About the Condition:
Some doctors that are new, or perhaps have never dealt with the condition before might not know much about it. They will not let you know this, but they should transfer or recommend you to a specialist that does. This will help not only your aging parents out, but it will help you understand more about the treatment plan and options available, as well as the condition that your parent has. Ask the doctor if they can refer you to another source of information, or another professional if you feel like your doctor doesn’t know all the answers you may have.
- Dr. Gives Too Much Information:
Doctors will not give you more information than you need. However, the information a doctor gives can be overwhelming and the doctor may feel it is better to let the information that was given soak in before they continue to bombard you with tests and additional treatments. This is more for your benefit, then for theirs. Make sure your parents speak about the condition, and what this might mean for them.
If you are uncomfortable with leaving your parent alone for a number of hours during the day, make sure to consider medical devices that allow them to call for immediate help, should they need it. A Pioneer medical alert system can help! These devices can provide them with someone within a matter of minutes to ensure that they obtain the necessary treatments. This can give you peace of mind, and heart when your aging parents are looked after.