Even though older adults are living longer in this country, almost 61% are dealing with multiple chronic conditions. CONSUMER REPORTS states “This makes solid medical care essential as we age…for older people errors are “much more likely to have consequences – their physiology is just not as adaptable.” Furthermore, Americans over the age of 50 say that 20% of them have doctors (who) have made assumptions about them based on their age, which can lead to inappropriate care. (For instance, both my husband and I fairly recently fainted in two foreign countries due to overcrowded conditions with heated temps, made worse through an overdose of blood pressure meds having been prescribed to both of us. This was due to our family physician not taking into account that we both had been very physically active in our daily routines for years.)
It is time then to speak up to your health care providers to best fix the following six health care problems. If your medical person does not respond in a positive way, it might be time for you to find a new provider.
1. THE DOCTOR TALKS TOO MUCH. It has been found that health care providers interrupt their patients after 18 seconds (on an average) into their patient’s opening statements. How to fix this situation? At the beginning of your appointment, hand your physician a written or typed copy of your health issues that you would like to use in redirecting your medical person’s discussion with you.
2. THEY USE MEDICAL JARGON. Bring a family member or friend to take notes during appointments if your doctor is unclear in any explanations of your health situation. Also try repeating the doctor’s words back to him so he can become aware of whether you understand him or not.
3. THEY DISMISS YOUR PAIN. Almost 31% of older adults live with chronic pain. Half of these senior numbers have difficulties in doing daily tasks, socializing, and find that physical activity has become more challenging. Ageism and the subjective nature of pain may lead doctors to discount the discomfort. According to our article, “There’s an attitude now that pain is one of those things people, especially the elderly, just need to deal with.” Instead, try these actions: (a. Get to the subject of pain at once in your doctor appointment. (b. Let your physician know that your result of visiting him will be to get your health back to its baseline (c. Discuss with him your own view or lifestyle of what you would like to reconnect with as a result of the departure of your pain.
4. YOU’RE NOT GETTING BETTER. If you are not getting help sooner in your treatment, give your physician a longer period to get results for you. But get a second opinion, if you are too ill to wait or if your provider does not seem to be listening to you. Leaving your medical center for a doctor outside of it, will give you a different approach to the same subject. Mayo Clinic Proceedings Journal, in its study published in 2021, found that “a second opinion cut the chance of misdiagnosis in half.” A secure primary care provider won’t mind the extra input.
5. THEY DON’T RESPOND QUICKLY. A non-urgent request can take up to 48 hours to receive a response. An urgent request should be received in a same-day answer. One of the best ways to get through to your physician today is done by sending the doctor a message through your patient portal.
6. THEY DON’T CONSULT YOUR OTHER DOCTORS. According to On Health, “More than 30% of Medicare recipients see at least five specialists a year, according to data from 2000 to 2019.” With this in mind, “your primary care provider should be the quarterback of your health care team.” Make sure then that you give your primary doc the names and contact info for all the providers you see with a list of meds and who prescribed them. Finally, go over your electronic health history with your “quarterback” making sure the info is correct and complete.
***Geriatricians, though few in number, are considered essential physicians for seniors with complex medical needs. These physicians pledge to follow the “four Ms” of age-friendly care:
a. What Matters to individuals
b. Medication
c. Mentation (memory and mood), and
d. Mobility
AgeFriendly.org has a list of medical centers located across the country aiming to follow the four Ms. Healthier aging means your provider recognizes what matters most to you: for example, babysitting your grandchildren, having energy for growing your garden and playing softball, or competing in swim meets.
