Your Doctor Wants to Know You

How to Get Better Health Care
Your guide to asking the right questions. We have all left a doctor’s office feeling like we were rushed through an appointment or later feeling like we need more information. This leaves us considering:

* Other questions that didn’t get asked
* Symptoms that didn’t get a chance to be revealed
* What we don’t understand about the diagnosis or treatment plan
* Other health conditions that may be important for the doctor to know about
* Preventive care options for avoiding health issues in the future

This guide will help you avoid these common issues and give you the tools to take charge of your health care and create a successful relationship with your doctor. It provides a list of the right questions for you to ask your doctor before, during and after your visit as well as accompanying forms for listing your symptoms, medications, and other health care providers. The guide helps you organize your thoughts and information prior to seeing your doctor so you are better prepared to communicate not only what is important to you, but also what is significant for the doctor to know in order to provide the best care for you. Initiating better communication with your physician is easy with this guide and offers the potential for better health care results.

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Seniors Accentuate the Positive in Life

Many adults expect to feel a sense of loss, or even depression, as they enter old age. But rather than experiencing unhappiness about the effects of aging, many seniors report an increased sense of peace and contentment. Instead of feeling limited, they feel liberated.

It's well established that how we think affects how we feel. For example, simply smiling can actually make a person happier. Older adults can use this approach to focus on positive emotions and suppress negative emotions, to enhance their overall emotional well-being. By directing their intellectual resources toward their emotional goals, seniors can improve their present emotional state.
Enjoying the "golden years"

Rather than longing for the "good old days," seniors are enjoying their golden years. According to a study conducted by ExtendHealth, a Medicare exchange provider, only 3 percent of 471 retirees surveyed said they miss their jobs, and only 2 percent said they have too much free time.

The fact that older adults often see their lives in a positive light provides a great opportunity for those who work with seniors. Caregivers and professionals can often provide resources that support seniors' connections to their families, friends, community and social networks and thus enhance their emotional well-being.

In addition, because seniors often make decisions on more emotional than intellectual levels, it's important to make positive emotional connections with them. Caregivers and professionals can benefit by presenting their services as positive enhancements to older adults' lives.