ARTICLES / General / My
Mother's Keeper: The Eye Doctor... /
By Beverly Bernstein Joie, MS, CMC
It is of the utmost importance that
elderly parents are accompanied to their physician
visits by an attentive third party every so often, on a
regular basis. This person must listen with an
objective, impartial ear to exactly what health issues
are discussed. Understanding the complexities of chronic
health conditions requires someone who knows how to ask
the right questions. The issue is one of understanding
the current health status of the individual, as well as
following through with the appropriate course of action.
Asking questions and following through can sometimes be
the difference between life or death.
There are many reasons why our parents
need help in this area. Sometimes itís an issue of
deteriorating ability to understand whatís happening,
brought on by memory problems or comprehension problems.
It can also be related to the psychological challenge of
accepting the implications of what is being said. Any of
us would find it hard to ďhearĒ these things. Keep a
record of your parentsí visits Ė what the doctor has
said and recommended. If you cannot accompany your
parents, ask someone else to do it, such as a family
member or friend, or consider the services of a
professional geriatric care manager. Itís amazing what
you can learn.