The National Institute on Aging website is packed with valuable information — such as choosing a doctor and confronting sensitive issues — and it’s designed for both patients and caregivers.
The NIA site counters those challenges with articles and printable worksheets that deal with recording family health history, choosing a new doctor, discussing life changes during a doctor’s visit, prioritizing which concerns to share and tracking medication.For providers, the site offers tips for “talking with your older patient” and improving communication.
The tips are worth checking out for younger people, too — especially the ones on how to get the most out of a doctor’s visit. One analysis of 2017 health record data that the average primary care checkup lasts just 18 minutes, and the NIA’s advice could help you milk every precious moment of doctor-patient face time. with a smartphone or audio recorder. The agency also encourages people to seek out other members of the health-care team, including pharmacists and physician assistants, who may have more time and availability than doctors.