When receiving care for your health, it can be hard to know what to bring up to your doctor during appointments. As an older adult, facing multiple health challenges and experiencing new symptoms can quickly become overwhelming.

Yet, no symptom is too small when it comes to your health. Creating an open and honest line of communication can help you and your care team work together to protect your health in the long term. Here is how you can gain the confidence to start honest conversations with your healthcare providers, along with some senior health tips that may prove resourceful during your next appointment.

Preparing for Appointments

Appointment time can bring about a lot of anxiety for some patients, which is entirely normal. However, preparing for your appointment ahead of time can help reduce anxiety and ensure you bring up everything you’ve experienced with your health. Before your appointment, consider:

• Writing down questions: As you think of questions during the week leading up to your appointment, jot them down on a note so you don't forget to ask your doctor during the visit.
• Keep a symptom log or diary: List all symptoms (even those you feel are minor) and share it with your care team. Keeping a log to bring to your appointment will help you remember key symptoms your team needs to know to treat you best.
• Bring a loved one: Meeting a new provider can feel scary and intimidating for some patients. Bringing along a companion can help provide assurance and support as you meet a new doctor.

Questions to Ask

Your appointment is your chance to ask questions one-on-one in a safe and confidential space. During your visit, ask your care team questions to better understand what’s happening with your health. For example, some questions to ask could include:

• What could be causing the symptoms I’m experiencing?
• Are there tests we can look into to determine the root cause of these symptoms?
• How can I manage these symptoms?
• What symptoms should I watch out for, and what should I do if they happen again?

Describing Your Symptoms

A clear description of the symptoms you experience helps your care team get a bigger picture of what could be happening to your health. For symptoms that come and go, it can be tough for patients to describe their symptoms clearly. Some ways to help you best describe your symptoms to your care team include:

• Frequency: Make note of time, duration, and frequency of symptoms (when did they occur, how long did they last, how many times a day).
• Time and place: Note when symptoms occur in daily life (does it happen while you’re outside? Is it only in the morning or at night?).
• Triggers: Does it appear that symptoms occur after notable triggers, such as after exercise or eating specific types of food?
• Severity: When symptoms occur, how would you rate them on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the most severe).
• Relief: Has anything provided relief in times when symptoms are present?

Keeping a note/symptom log when these occur is the best way to remember everything to tell your doctor at your next appointment.

Find a Provider Today

Speaking up early about the symptoms you’ve experienced is essential to help prevent more serious health problems later. As a patient, it’s important to mention all symptoms, no matter how big or small, to your provider.

When you share openly, your doctor can do more than treat—you can work together to protect your long-term health. To learn more, find a center near you to get connected with a team that can help you stay healthier as you age.