Did you know that every third Tuesday of September is Take a Loved One for a Checkup Day? Created as a reminder to help friends and family visit with a health care professional, it’s definitely a date to mark on the calendar. Read more about the day, below.
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, many people wait until they have an emergency before going to the doctor. But regular visits to a medical professional can help prevent diseases from occurring or catch them early when they’re easier to treat.
If you know someone you think could benefit from a medical visit, or you are already a caregiver for someone else, ask if they’d like you to go with them to their appointment. Then follow our tips to be as helpful as possible:
Before the visit
- Help your friend or family member write down a list of questions to ask the doctor or nurse.
- Gather their health history information, including current conditions and past surgeries or illnesses.
- Gather their family’s health history information, including health conditions of their parents, brothers, and sisters.
- Help them make a list of all the medicines they take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and vitamins.
- Update your calendar and bring it to the appointment so you will be prepared to schedule a follow-up visit.
This article originally posted on Cancer.org.