With age, you may find yourself seeing more doctors and specialists, each managing a different part of your health. Keeping everyone informed can be just as important as choosing the right providers. Drawing on Senior Helpers’ experience with senior in-home care, we’ve put together tips to help you build a health care team that works together and keeps your needs in focus.

Choose a Primary Care Provider to Coordinate Your Care

Your primary care provider is often the best person to oversee your overall health. This doctor knows your medical history, reviews your medications, and can help coordinate care with the specialists you see.

To keep everyone on the same page, take these steps:

• Ask specialists to send visit notes and test results to your primary care provider.
• Tell your primary care provider when a specialist recommends a new medication, test, or treatment.
• Bring up any conflicting instructions so your doctors can clarify what you should do.

Medicare covers a yearly wellness visit, which is a good opportunity to review your health needs and the providers involved in your care.

Keep Your Health Care Team's Information in One Place

A current list of medications and providers can save time at appointments and help prevent mix-ups. It also gives a new doctor or emergency care provider a quick overview of your health history, helping your health care team stay informed.

Include each medication's name and dose, along with the prescribing doctor. Remember to add vitamins, supplements, and known allergies. Record your providers' names, specialties, and phone numbers, along with any recent surgeries, hospital stays, or major diagnoses.

Keep this information somewhere easy to reach, such as in your purse or on your refrigerator. Bring it to appointments and update it whenever something changes. An outdated list can cause confusion, especially when different providers prescribe medications or recommend new treatments.

Use Online Records or Ask for a Printed Copy

Many health systems offer patient portals where you can view test results, read visit notes, and message providers. If you haven't used one before, ask a trusted friend or family member to help you set it up and learn the basics.

You don't have to use a portal to stay informed. You can request printed after-visit summaries and keep them with your medical list. Choose whichever method makes it easiest for you to review your information and share it with your doctors.

Prepare Questions Before Your Appointments

Your concerns and preferences should guide your care. Keeping your health care team informed about your concerns and treatment preferences can also help you get more consistent care.

Preparing questions ahead of time can help you make the most of your appointment. Write down your two or three main concerns, starting with the most important. If a specialist recommends a new test or medication, ask whether your primary care provider should be informed. You can also bring a companion to take notes or help you remember instructions.

Get Reliable Support for Transportation and Follow-Up Reminders

Keeping up with appointments and following through on recommendations can be difficult if transportation or remembering dates is a challenge. Senior Helpers New Haven Coast offers top-notch in-home care, including transportation to appointments, follow-up reminders, companionship, and more. Contact us to learn more about our services in Branford, Clinton, East Haven, Guilford, and Killingworth.