Questions To Ask the Doctor as a Caregiver
Appointments are short, and it's easy to walk out realizing you forgot the most important question. A little preparation helps you and the doctor make the most of the time.
Before the appointment
- Write down your top three questions, most important first.
- Bring the medication list and any symptom log.
- Make sure you're authorized. If you want to talk to the doctor on your parent's behalf, they may need to sign a HIPAA authorization (see HIPAA and power of attorney).
- Agree with your parent on what you'll raise. It's their appointment.
Questions about a diagnosis
- What is the diagnosis, in plain language?
- What should we expect over the next months?
- What are the treatment options, including doing nothing?
- What are the side effects or risks?
- What can we do at home to help?
Questions about medications
- What is this new medicine for, and how long will they take it?
- Does it interact with anything on the list?
- Can anything on the list be stopped?
- What side effects should make us call you?
Questions about tests and next steps
- What is this test for, and when will we get results?
- Who will call us, and what if we don't hear back?
- When is the next visit?
Questions about daily life
- Is it safe for them to drive / live alone / manage medications?
- Would physical therapy, occupational therapy or home health help?
- What warning signs mean we should go to the ER?
During and after
- Take notes, or ask whether you can record the conversation.
- Repeat back what you heard: "So the plan is..."
- Ask for the after-visit summary or check the patient portal.
- Log it in the binder's appointment log.
Not medical advice.
The Family Caregiver Binder includes an appointment prep page, an appointment log and a questions page in every section.
Family Caregiver Binder — $14
19-page caregiver binder: medical summary, medication list and log, appointment log, discharge checklist, legal documents and a care tracker spreadsheet. Instant download: PDF + DOCX + XLSX.
Get the Family Caregiver BinderFamily Paperwork Bundle — $34More guides
- Caregiver Binder: What To Include (Printable Checklist)
- Medication List for an Elderly Parent: Free Template and Tips
- Hospital Discharge Checklist for Caregivers
- HIPAA Authorization vs. Health Care Power of Attorney: What Caregivers Need
- FMLA for Caregivers: Can You Take Leave To Care for a Parent?
- Caregiver Burnout: Signs To Watch For and What Helps
- How To Share Caregiving With Siblings (Without Fighting)
- The Medicare Hospice Benefit, Explained for Families
- What To Bring to the ER for an Elderly Parent (Grab-and-Go List)