Tips to Overcome the Challenges of Medical Tests for Older Adults

Ease the process of medical tests for older adults with these tips.

There’s often nothing “routine” about a routine checkup. You may arrive to your appointment perfectly fine, but leave with orders for blood work along with other medical tests a doctor recommends to keep you as healthy as possible. These tests may be nothing more than a minor inconvenience for you, but medical tests for older adults could be challenging for many reasons: transportation problems, mobility issues, thinner skin, fragile veins, cognitive difficulties, and much more.

There are actions you can take to help and advocate for an older family member to maneuver medical tests more easily. For example:

• If the individual will need a test done outside the home, call ahead to the facility where it will be performed. Find answers to any specific questions you might have about drop-off location, parking, the best time of day to arrange for the test, etc.
• Find out if tests can be carried out in the individual’s home. Home health care is becoming an extremely viable choice for blood work and other tests.
• Providing a urine or stool sample can be difficult. Ask the doctor for any guidelines to help make the process less difficult, for example, a receptacle to place over the toilet in place of using a cup. Ensure 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.

How Can Home Care Help With Medical Tests for Older Adults?

An in-home caregiver from Hired Hands Homecare can:

• Take notes to make sure doctors’ orders are understood and followed
• Provide accompaniment and transportation to medical appointments, tests, and procedures, while assisting with mobility support as needed
• Help the person to get settled safely back at home afterwards, and provide companionship and oversight to watch for any changes in condition that should be reported
• Pick up prescriptions and provide medication reminders to ensure that meds are taken exactly as prescribed
• And so much more

Also, many individuals feel 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 supply your loved one with privacy.

Contact us at (866) 940-4343 to arrange for the support needed for someone you love in Novato, Santa Rosa, Napa, or throughout the Bay Area. We provide a complimentary in-home consultation to help you understand your options.