How to Help with The Challenges of Medical Tests for Seniors

There’s rarely anything “routine” about a routine checkup. You may arrive to your appointment perfectly fine, but leave with orders for blood work as well as other medical tests a doctor recommends to keep you as healthy as possible. While these tests may only be minor inconveniences for you, medical tests for seniors can be challenging for a number of reasons – transportation problems, thinner skin, mobility issues, cognitive difficulties, fragile veins, and more.

There are actions you can take to advocate for and help an aging loved one to navigate lab tests more easily. For example:

• Determine if the test can be completed at home. Home health care has become an increasingly viable choice for blood work and other tests.
• In the event that 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 might have about drop-off location, parking, the best time of day to schedule for the test, etc.
• Providing a stool or urine sample can be difficult. Ask the doctor for any suggestions to make the process less difficult, such as a receptacle to position over the toilet rather than using a cup. Make sure the bathroom floor is dry and clean 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.

Can Home Care Help with Medical Tests for Seniors?

An in-home caregiver from JFS Care can:

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

Also, many people feel more comfortable receiving assistance for sensitive medical matters from a trained professional. Our caregivers are skilled in discreet and respectful support for personal care needs, allowing family relations to step back and supply the senior loved one with privacy.
If you need senior care management in Los Angeles and the nearby areas, contact us online or at 213-383-2273 to arrange for the support needed for someone you love. We offer a free in-home consultation that will help you understand your options, so contact us today!