Over the last few years, I've increasingly become an active partner with my 86 & 88 year old parents' healthcare adventures - some of which have been equal to Alice's in Wonderland.
Does it surprise you to know that I have found many doctors in a geographic area filled with aging retirees to be less than adept in their treatment of an elder patient?I'm guessing it comes as no surprise to members of The Greatest Generation or their children sharing in their care.
And since that will be all of us someday, it's up to all of us to become not only aware of the paucity of decent healthcare for aging folks, but active proponents for improving such an absurd disconnect between supply and demand.
I'll give my father's recent experience as an example.
His one condition was misdiagnosed and the other was incorrectly medicated, all due to a lack of proper attention on the part of not one but two doctors.
We were not about to give up on him as local doctors had, however, so we took him to one of the best doctors in the country, in a facility with state of the art diagnostic equipment (all in NYC) where he received both amazing care and a new lease on life.
What would have happened had we not done our own research and taken aggressive action, instead leaving him in the hands of practitioners best suited to treat someone who is 32 and generally healthy?My father's best friend found out...
he passed away while my father was in the hospital - of the same condition as my father's.
So, here's some tips for those to whom this issue applies - which did I mention is really everyone? 1.
Be a full partner in care, not a passive consumer: Conduct yourself like a professional healthcare coordinator who is responsible for a precise understanding of all aspects of the patient's care (starting with a crash course on the diagnosed conditions and their treatments) - do not blindly accept information or opinions of medical professionals who see hundreds of patients a week and spend a very limited time with all of them 2.
Hold your healthcare professionals accountable for quality care: Do not accept non-answers, vague answers, answers in medical jargon, or the attempt made by so many doctors to treat your questions as silly or unnecessary - you would not accept this of any other service provider, and a doctor is no different 3.
Always seek second or even third opinions: In fact, seek out the leaders in the specialty associated with the patient's diagnosed condition, wherever they are - also remember, this is business, so do not accept guilt trips, hurt feelings, or any other unprofessional reaction on the part of your doctor - if that happens, find another doctor 4.
Do not accept long waits due to over-booking: Being retired does not mean that one's time is any less valuable - the archaic practice of over-booking is both disrespectful and a sign of the level of care you can expect to receive once you've waited another 40 minutes half-naked in the examination room...
5.
Insist that all current medical providers work as a team and consult with each other: This applies particularly as major treatment decisions are being made, and if any doctor refuses, find another who understands best medical practice 6.
Insist that all doctors pay close attention to the patient's current medications and treatments: (note this does not mean the assistant asking and then the doctor ignoring...
) Keep your own list of all current treatments &medications, and make sure they are discussed and compatible with each other (not contraindicated).
7.
Finally, insist on an explanation of how your doctor views the impact of age on his/her approach to both preventive and interventive treatments.
Don't let a medical professional get away with limiting their level of care or treatment options simply because the patient is "elderly"...
When that happens, find someone with a greater understanding of the immense capacity, resiliency, and determination of an elder person who is either treatable by someone with the appropriate level of expertise, or would rather fight to the end for an improved life than be sent home to fade away and die.