There’s often nothing “routine” about a routine checkup. You may arrive to your appointment perfectly fine but leave with orders for blood work as well as other lab tests a doctor recommends to help keep you as healthy as possible. These tests might be nothing more than a small inconvenience for you, but for a senior, they can be challenging for a number of reasons: transportation problems, thinner skin, mobility issues, fragile veins, cognitive difficulties, and much more. Preparing for medical tests for older adults can help make the experience more comfortable.
There are steps you can take to advocate for an older loved one when managing lab tests. For example:
- Providing a urine or stool sample can be challenging. Ask the doctor for any recommendations to help make the process less difficult, such as a receptacle to position over the toilet in place of using a cup. Make sure the bathroom floor is clean and dry and that any bathmats or throw rugs are removed, and encourage the person to hold onto a grab bar during the collection process to prevent a fall.
- Find out if tests can be carried out in the individual’s home. Home health care has become an increasingly viable option for blood work and other tests.
- If the senior will need a test done outside of the home, call ahead to the facility where it will be performed. Find answers to any specific questions you have about parking, drop-off location, the best time of day to schedule for the test, etc.
How Can Home Care Help an Older Adult Who Needs Medical Tests?
An in-home caregiver from Independence-4-Seniors Home Care can:
- Take notes to ensure doctors’ orders are understood and followed
- Pick up prescriptions and provide medication reminders to make certain that meds are taken exactly as prescribed
- Provide transportation and accompaniment to medical appointments, tests, and procedures, while assisting with mobility support as needed
- Assist the senior at home afterwards, and provide companionship and oversight to watch for any changes in condition that should be reported
- And so much more
Also, many people feel much more comfortable receiving assistance for sensitive medical matters from a trained professional. Our caregivers are skilled in discreet and respectful support with personal care needs, allowing family members to step back and provide a senior loved one with privacy.
Reach out to us, either online or at (630) 323-4665 to arrange for the support necessary for someone you love. We offer a free in-home consultation to help you understand your options for senior care in Countryside and the surrounding areas, so contact us today!