Education and Care - Tips on Medical Visits

Alzheimer's Foundation of America

• Keep a record of the individual's physical complaints between visits. Examples: shortness of breath or headaches.
• Bring all medications, including prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs, to every doctor's visit.
• A family member or other individual should be present during the individual's entire examination.
• Insist on providing history and symptoms directly to the practitioner, since he may not realize the individual has impaired memory and communication skills.
• Insist on an explanation of medical conditions, medications and treatments to you as well as the individual with dementia.
• Ask whether any new medications may increase confusion or result in other side effects.
• Inquire about communication among healthcare professionals treating the individual.
• Speak up if specific instructions are not realistic. Example: Expecting that an individual who has lost verbal skills will ask for chest pain pills (nitroglycerin).